I'm not sure why, but for some reason in our society today, it's cool to hate things. It's trendy to be spiteful, and everyone aspires to be tough and detached. Having emotions and being passionate about the people in your life is looked down upon, and no one ever wants to be the one that cares the most. Feelings are seen as a character flaw and people pride themselves on being heartless. Unless you want people to think you're weak, you spend an unnecessary amount of time covering up your vulnerabilities and trying to be as hard-hearted as possible. But you know what? I call bullshit.
Why does it matter? So what if you're the person that cares the most? When did being caring, compassionate, loving and warm turn into something to shy away from instead of something to strive for? Why do we feel like, in order to fit in, we should have to hide our emotions and try to be this horrible combination of callous and cruel?
In my opinion, we should always try to be the person who cares the most. Loving someone shouldn't be something we cover up, something we hide by ignoring messages and playing hard-to-get, but something that we're open about. We shouldn't have to feel like we're going to be seen as weak if we actually show our emotions. Honestly, having emotions and showing them openly and without fear is the furthest thing from weakness. It's strength. It's bravery, confidence and a willingness to let people in, which is one of the hardest things to do. Despite what our society seems to think, it doesn't take any strength at all to keep everyone at a distance. You might brag about having "no feelings" or having a "heart that's made of ice" but honestly? That's easy. Anyone can do that. Anyone can hide behind a tough facade, never giving anyone a real chance but looking tough in the process.
What takes real strength is letting people in. Opening up, being warm and loving and accepting of people even if it means giving them the opportunity to hurt you if they choose to do so. Accepting that you can't control other people and that trying only hurts you in the long run. Opening yourself up and admitting that other people can hurt you is scary and paralyzing at times, but it's important. Living the way our generation does, you never get to form the real bonds and relationships that will last the rest of your life. And to me, there's nothing "cool" about that.
So stop apologizing for having feelings. Don't say sorry when you break down and you're not okay, and don't try to cover up everything you really think by trying to seem unbreakable. There is nothing that compares to giving out unconditional love and receiving it in return, and I've found that more times than not, if you look for the light in a person and show them that you see it, it will shine even brighter, regardless of whether or not they think it does. Let people in, actually show them that you love them, and I promise it will make a significant difference in your life and theirs.
