burn me at the stake

Tonight my theme is totally going to be sacrifice...in an completely inadvertent way.

So we all know the story of Joan of Arc, correct?! I mean, here we have this ultimate heroine...in a sense, the very first feminist. Joan was a woman with a very determined mind. She knew what she believed, knew what was right, didn't give a FUCK if anyone approved or not, and she totally went for it. She put everything she had; her emotions, her mind, her beliefs, posessions, everything...on the line; all to stand up for what she believed in.

In a sense, she made no pretenses about anything...no bullshit, no games...she put all her cards on the table and let the chips fall where they may.

In her case, they decided to fall on a bunch of fire and some wood, at her expense. But to Joan, it was no matter. She did what she came to do. She sacrificed her life for her beliefs, and in the end was a better person for it (can you even name any woman we still talk about to this day with the same amount of respect and grandeur..? I think not.)

Lately, I am realizing that some of us in life, are a lot like this beloved Joan. Not many, but some people take everything they have; personality, life, relationships, beliefs, emotions, feelings, physicality...and put it all out there, every single day. I think by default a certain portion is guarded, but for the most part, the raw, intense guts of a person are on display for all the world to see.

These people tend to either have really amazing relationships; or they have none at all. Depending on the audience, these soul-bearers pay no attetion to what others might think and truly live for themselves...

Being one who is quite fond of metaphorically being tied to a stake, I have some recent findings to share. As I get older, I find it harder and harder to let myself loose if something hasn't gone my way. If I embark on something I feel is not worthy, it is slightly more dfficult to let go than someone else.... yet I continue to stay tied to the post. Day in, day out, I expose all of it. There are no secrets, no hidden agendas...it is truly raw emotion...and all that it implies.

So why does such a simple concept bring such complicated results?! I don't have the answers, but I do know, that being so open and passionate about everything definitely does involve risks. Sometimes, these risks include getting heartbroken, let down, cheated or unsatisfied....

but is the previous better than the latter? Would we rather set ourselves up; open and honest and willing to "go there" as opposed to being cold, aloof, standoffish and not open to any of life's opportunities???

I think the point is to figure out your priorities. Knowing what is and isn't worth it. And also, being kind to everyone never hurt either. AS long as you know what you want, willing to stop at nothing and not afraid of some pretty hurtful side effects....be prepared for the ride of your life.