Epiphany

     I had an epiphany today. I love the word and I love the concept. The ah ha moment. Anyway my epiphany: I've read all sorts of quotes, comments etc. about running toward your fears and I've never understood the concept. I thought it meant if I was afraid of skydiving I should go do it and I would develop as a person. Maybe that's what some of the people who say it mean but I've never bought into it.
     Today I was thinking again about how we don't ask for what we want and we miss out on so much because we are afraid of our egos being bruised. Then it hit me.....this is what people are talking about. Two people who are both interested in each other but neither says anything about it and they lose the opportunity. A husband and wife who both want more _______  (sex, communication, time out together whatever) but neither tells the other and it spirals downhill, a friendship that fades away because neither pushes the other for more time because each is afraid of feeling needy. Life is full of numerous examples every day.
     I've heard stories of articles and movies of people who are fanatically honest. No lie telling or holding back any thoughts. However I've never heard of anyone doing an experiment where they never let being afraid of something soft (feelings being hurt etc. as opposed to hard like a safety concern or physical fear) stop them from saying or doing things. I guess the heart of it would be asking for things. How many times a day do we settle for less than we could have because we don't ask for what we want? Look at your own life for a day and see how many times you don't ask? What would be different if you did ask?