Sharing

Today I have been in a number of discussions about sharing. Sharing responsibility, sharing credit for a job done, sharing blame, sharing our thoughts and dreams, sharing our disappointments, sharing our past, sharing our time, and yes even sharing our colds.

We all understand that sharing of our possessions is a good thing. As a child we are taught we should share, it is probably the hardest thing for a three year old to do with a toy or some candy, but yet we are so proud when they do it without asking them to. I’m not so sure it is any easier for some adults to share their ‘stuff’ with others.

Sometimes we want our friends and family to share our joys, our hurts and our passions and don’t always understand when they are not willing to share theirs inner most parts as freely. Are we really ready to accept what they might have to say? Have we truly built the trust that is required for a person to really open up? Are we ready to accept that they may never open up and share? When it is not about us it is easier to expect someone to share.

How often do we share things that maybe shouldn’t be shared? We share something that someone else said in confidence and it becomes gossip. We share how someone else has hurt us and the third party then picks up the offense. We share stuff from out past that is better off left to heal or is inappropriate for the other person.

Then there are the times we just share being with each other nothing needs to be said, just the fact that we gave a little of our time is the best thing that has ever been shared.