Naked At The Tea Party

Many years ago, my favorite cousin's three year old granddaughter, a faerie sprite with honey-colored pigtails and an open heart, announced that she wanted to have a naked tea party. Without waiting for a reply, she ran into her room, scooped up an armful of tiny plastic cups and saucers and deposited them on Susan’s bedroom nightstand, demanding that she take her clothes off.

My cousin was a free spirit, however, the naked tea party idea was a bit over the top, even for her. Stifling a laugh, she explained that she had chores to do and the naked tea party would have to be rescheduled.   

I remembered this funny story today while responding to writing prompts in the book, "One Minute Meditations for Older Women" by Jennifer Westrom.  That got me thinking about the paradox of vulnerability, and what happens when we strip away those carefully crafted stories about our lives and allow people to truly know us through the messy, authentic ones.  The reality is, to risk being "naked," not only with others, but with ourselves, invites tremendous change and growth.  It can also offer us the sense of empowerment we really need in this phase of our lives.   

How about you? Is it too much of a risk, or are you already there?