Transparency ~ the act of being transparent. It’s over rated. The use of the word is not only becoming over used in today’s society ~it’s also used incorrectly. Today, it is used to imply that there is nothing hidden. That, the person who is using it, isn’t holding back any secrets. They are allowing you to see all. But, that’s not it’s true definition. If we want to communicate clearly so that others understand us, words, which so often fail us, need to be correctly used. And, I don’t want to be with people who are transparent. I want to be with people who are soul-full. So, stop being Transparent and start Exposing Yourself!
Living exposed with sparks of light and love.
The definition of being Transparent is having the property of transmitting rays of light through it’s substance so that bodies situated beyond can be distinctly seen. From A Soul Wise Living perspective, this is bad ~ very bad! You do not want people to see through us to the other side. You want people to see right INTO us. You want people to see our hearts. You want people to see our very souls. To be understood is a human need. To be understood on a very deep level is soulful. It allows us to shine our light and our message into the world. To do this, one must be willing to expose themselves ~ both your human vulnerabilities as well as your deepest desires and dreams. you must be willing to share all of you and be discovered for who you are.
Consider this scene. You are at a cocktail party. There is much energy in the room. Would you rather be transparent or would you rather someone discover you? I know I would rather be discovered. I’ve been to too many parties and events where people are looking through you to find the next person who might better serve them. Each of us has a great deal to offer and, it’s in that discovery, that soul to soul connections occur. I know when someone is transparent enough that they are holding back themselves. I know when someone is willing to expose themselves in a way that allows for compassion and empathy to exist between us.
I’m not saying go to your next cocktail party and be a tell all. There’s a difference between allowing soul to soul connection and being a fake and a fraud. When you meet someone and you know instantaneously that they are faking it, you want to move away from them, right? Your ‘bologna’ antenna goes up! But, Have you ever met someone and IMMEDIATELY know that you are going to have a great friendship? It’s because there was some kind of energetic connection. There was some kind of exposing of one to another. It can ever so slight but it’s there. It comes from the willingness to be exposed.
To do this, you must know yourself. You can not be seen for all the gifts that you are if you do not embrace yourself.
This is why it is so important that you understand the deep driving purpose of your soul. In order to show the world this, without apology, you must know what it is you want and what path you are willing to follow to expose it to others. And, yes, it may not always be easy.You can be transparent and allow people to look through you to the next thing or you can be ‘real’.
Once you know what you want and are willing to be less transparent, people will be drawn to you. Others are craving to be around the light that one has once they have exposed themselves. They come to appreciate that rawness and vulnerability. They do not see it as a weakness but rather as a strength. That strength of purpose that they can use to support themselves in their own endeavors.
My questions to you are these: Do you want people to see you for you? Do you want people to understand all the inherent gifts you have to offer? Do you want to be transparent or do you want to expose yourself and your soul?
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Thanks for saying it Laura!!!! It is a bit of a bummer when a great word gets overused and looses its meaning. The idea of, “See and be seen” means something a little bit deeper now.
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 10th, 2013 at 11:25 am
I know ~ this often happens in our world doesn’t it ~ the overuse of certain words drives me crazy! And sometimes it just ‘sticks’ with you. See and be heard, Tiffany~ with compassion always!
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Comment by Tiffany Kane - Connectedtoyourcore.com — September 9, 2013 @ 7:52 pm
Interesting post Laura. I didn’t know there was a difference. One thing that scared me about opening up more was that I had to reveal everything, but now I know its more like peeling layers of an onion to allow close relationships at the core of who we really are and to be more genuine.
Thanks for sharing and clarifying 🙂
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 10th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
It’s a subtle difference, isn’t it Ashley! And, it can be scary, I know, I’ve been there. It is a lot like layers ~ sometimes a bit at a time can make huge differences! Glad it helped. KEEP SMILING 🙂
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Comment by Ashley Porter — September 10, 2013 @ 2:18 pm
Sage wisdom.
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 11th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Thank you Cindy!
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Comment by Cindy — September 10, 2013 @ 11:19 pm
Laura, another great article, although I do not fully agree with the meaning you ascribe to transparency.
Thank you for your interpretation of what it means and how you see it that we need to be.
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 11th, 2013 at 7:14 pm
Lilia ~ How do you define it? I know people are using it to mean being open, revealing themselves and not hiding. This I applaud. But, my English Professors would differ by it’s definition. What would you say differently? It’s always fun to hear another’s interpretation ~ it creates clarity!
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Comment by Lilia Lee — September 11, 2013 @ 8:18 am
Brilliant Laura!!! The connection between “knowing yourself” and being willing to be “transparent” is KEY! Thank you so much for that clarity!!! I can look back and see the point in time when I really came into knowing myself is when being transparent became effortless!!! Love you!!
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 11th, 2013 at 7:15 pm
So true ~ and isn’t that the point where you can start exuding the Joy that lies within?! For you are truly both transparent and exposed ~ all in wonderful ways! 🙂
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Comment by Stacey Martino — September 11, 2013 @ 8:59 am
Thank you so much Laura!
I had never thought of ‘transparency’ like that, but all those examples you gave hit home completely! I am on a mission to be fully present in my encounters with people, and it starts with allowing them to really connect with me, and see ‘into’ me, as you’ve said.
Thanks again!
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 13th, 2013 at 5:03 pm
YaY! I love when people say I want someone to see ‘into’ me!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP SMILING 🙂
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Comment by Sarada — September 13, 2013 @ 12:36 pm
I’m with you Laura! I’m so tired of people using the word “transparent”! Bluck! What I want is a REAL connection with people. That’s scary. That involves risk. That’s where real relationships can be birthed.
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 16th, 2013 at 10:56 pm
Alyssa ~ it’s about being vulnerable enough to show your REAL self, is it not? Too often we are not ready to step into the risk of being exposed. And you are so right that that is where relationships are born!! Thanks for making that connection for the readers!
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Comment by Alyssa Johnson — September 14, 2013 @ 12:10 pm
This is an awesome reminder.. Exposing yourself may mean different things to different people, but taking off the disguise and true connection is where it’s at. The more you are able to do that, the easier life flows… xoxo
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 21st, 2013 at 2:25 pm
I agree, Cena. It IS about making that truest connection possible!!! KEEP SMILING
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Comment by Cena — September 20, 2013 @ 9:58 am