The things you can see through and the things you can’t.
That is the simple difference between transparent and opaque.
To be clear, transparent lets everything through. Opaque lets nothing through. Translucent is somewhere in the middle, allowing light to enter but softening the view.
We can apply these terms to just about anything on this big Earth. Even our lives.
Some people choose transparency. Everything on display. Thoughts, feelings, mistakes, hopes. I suppose some would say there is a bit of bravery in that kind of openness and honesty. But here is the thing. When we are fully transparent, we can leave ourselves exposed.
Truly? I don’t think every part of us is meant to be seen by everyone. But many disagree with me on that one. Goodness knows. Some of those people put it all on Facebook and beyond
Others live more opaquely. They keep things guarded and protected. Little is revealed in their lives. Sometimes that privacy is just the thing that they need. For whatever reason, it is necessary for them to put up many boundaries. But when this is taken too far, opacity can shut out connections. It can block us from meaningful interactions with others.
So, which should we try to be? Transparent or opaque?
I think the real trick is knowing when to be which. Open or shut. I suppose a combination of both of these things is the best place for most of us. That means achieving a good balance between being open and vulnerable and setting boundaries, while taking care of our inner selves.
As they say, moderation is key. Life should not be about choosing extremes. Instead, it is probably better to be balanced. To stay mostly in the middle in all things.
Balanced. In every part of our lives.
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“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.”
— Jana Kingsford
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“There is a time to be open and a time to be silent, and wisdom lies in knowing which is which.”
— Ecclesiastes
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“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”
— Mary Oliver
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“The middle path is the way of wisdom.”
— Buddha
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