Why Am I Afraid...

Why Am I Afraid To Tell You Who I Am?

by John Powell S.J.

"If you and I can honestly tell each other who we are, that is, what we think, judge, feel, value, love, honour & esteem, hate, fear, desire, hope for, believe in and are committed to, then and only then can each of us grow.

Then and then alone can each of us be what she really is, say what she really thinks, tell what she really feels, express what she really loves.

This is the real meaning of authenticity as a person, that my exterior truly reflects my interior. It means I can be honest in the communication of my person to others. And this I cannot do unless you help me. Unless you help me I cannot grow, or be happy, or really come alive.

I have to be free and able to say my thoughts to you, to tell you about my judgements and values, to expose you to my fears and frustrations, to admit to you my failures and my shames, to share with you my triumphs, before I can really be sure what it is that I am and can become. I must be able to tell you who I am before I can know who I am. And I must know who I am before I can act truly, that is, in accordance with my true self."