I have been told that it is clear to others that I wear my heart on my sleeve. Me being me, I never really paid attention to it since it's the way I have always been. However, through my interactions with others over time it has become apparent that I am much more open than my fellow peers. I express my emotions more often, say what I'm thinking, and tend to be an open book. I could not imagine living my life any other way.

Don't get me wrong, I still know how to play my cards close to my vest. I definitely do not trust everyone. There are many things that I do not talk about to my outer circle, and a few things I do not talk about to my inner circle. Not everyone is your friend, even if they pretend to be, and I know that.

But, I also know that I am the happiest and most fulfilled when I am open and loving to the people I surround myself with. Letting your heart live in a box surrounded by walls is not fun for you or anyone else. It keeps you away from living your best life and actually loving people and letting them love you. By wearing my heart on my sleeve, I know that I am being my complete, passionate self and not holding back. By giving out all the love I have- I get back so much more. Complimenting someone in your head helps no one. Saying to yourself that you love someone does not actually make anyone feel loved. Stepping out of your box and giving that compliment or that hug, telling that person you love them, opening up about the struggle you have- these are the actions that increase the quality of your relationships and give everyday moments a kind of positive energy.

It's sad to think of all of the potential friendships and relationships that never happened just because one of the people chose to withdraw or hold back. Keeping your heart locked away ~might~ keep you from getting hurt sometimes, but isn't love worth the risk? Isn't a full life worth the risk of having a friendship or relationship fail? If you keep walls up out of pride-because you want to be hard to get to know- there is a good chance you will tire people out more than anything else. Making the good, trustworthy people that want to be apart of your life have to work hard for it just is a struggle for them, and if you are difficult enough to make the real ones throw in the towel then you will be REALLY missing out.

Wearing your heart on your sleeve does not make you naive or an open target. It makes you the opposite- bold and real. It takes courage to put yourself out there... to tell people you love them or air out your problems. It takes a level of honesty and authenticity to be real about how you feel.

Wearing your heart on your sleeve fills your life with passion and quality relationships. All the love you send out will eventually- if not immediately- find its way back to you. Please remember that you reap what you sow. You won't be trusted if you are never trusting. You won't be respected if you are disrespectful. You won't have a life full of love and passion if you never give it.