The Kindness To Be Who We Are

"We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity.  We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion."
―Max de Pree

Recently, I was speaking to someone whose life and marriage I greatly admire.  This young man has managed to create a life for himself that reflects his values, that includes working hard, but also allows for enjoyment.  He shared that part of it is that his wife allows him to be who he really is.  A very intelligent and hard working guy who can appear serious, he describes himself as having a "silly" side, which his wife seems to enjoy, too.  So often, we seem to have trouble letting others be who they are.  There is kindness in giving each other space and acceptance to be who we truly are.