| In a recent letter about casting your pearls before swine, I suggested that you only share your inner valuables with those who are genuinely interested and care about you and what you have to share. Do not share your truths with those who can’t or won’t appreciate them. It’s a waste of time and it can hurt you to see your worth stomped on like that. Someone asked how can we tell the difference between the two. Good question! How can we tell the difference between a swine and a sweetie? Here are a few pointers from me to you: Never share publicly online or anywhere! Unless you’re into that game like I am. Just don’t. There are too many swine out there just waiting to trample over anything and everything good. I expose myself. Hence “NakedPastor”. But I’m doing it for a reason. And I have built up an immunity to stomping swine. It still hurts but I’m on a mission. So just don’t do it unless you must. You don’t have to share your pearls with anyone. Don’t trust swine. This could be family or friends or acquaintances or whomever. If you know someone that you just know would not appreciate your pearls, then don’t fantasize that they will. Face facts. Reach an agreement with reality. If you share your pearl with this someone and they stomp on it, it doesn’t do any good to say, “I was hoping you would care!” I know all about this… taking risks that are too risky and getting hurt. Just don’t do it with people you haven’t been able to trust. Test the trust levels. If people ask about your pearls or you’re feeling like you’d like to share them with someone, start with the least valuable. Here’s an example: if you’re gay and wonder if you should come out to a person, you could say, “If a friend came out to me, I wouldn’t judge them but would do everything to make that person feel accepted, appreciated, and loved!” Notice their reaction. If it is positive, they’ve passed the test. Share a pearl. If not, don’t share!! Trust the trustworthy. If someone with time has proven trustworthy, is a good listener, and doesn’t judge you, then venture into this territory. Go as far as you feel safe to go. Don’t dive right into the deep end at first. Wade in. I emphasize “with time” because too many people trust too many people too soon Suddenly, something goes wrong and all the trust and safeguards are disposed of and your pearls could end up trampled. Take your time.
I hope this helps. It can be lonely out there. We all have pearls and it’s nice to share them.
Do you have someone (or more) you can share your pearls with? | 