Take the Gloves Off!
By Sheila Thornton Warfield
Taking the gloves off can mean so many different things and most often none of them are positive. However, for me it’s about removing unnecessary layers or barriers that keep me from experiencing life in an authentic and purposeful way.
How can we truly live if we’re constantly fumbling and bumbling trying to put gloves on before experiencing the different parts of life in front of us? This practice prevents us from touching life, from tasting and feeling ‘the all’ of life that reminds us of the simple grace and wonder of just being here.
How can we feel the tenderness of life if we refuse to take those gloves off? Sure, gloves may protect us from the discomfort of certain things but keeping them on can also cause us to miss the many textures and depths that make our lives fuller.
How can we truly absorb life if we’re constantly shielded by gloves (metaphorically speaking) that guard us from experiencing the pricks, thorns, and pain that can provide real growth and reveal the splendor that adds so much dimensionality and fullness to life.
I get it. Sometimes we just don’t have it in us to go out without the gloves on. We don’t have the capacity (in the moment) to handle the uncomfortable, painful and perhaps profane that we encounter along the way. When in this space, wearing gloves is a form of self-care that we must incorporate in our daily practices to remain healthy and happy. But, we need to remain aware of this choice and recognize our courage for putting the gloves on in the first place. We must not succumb to wearing gloves as our default state, allowing them to become permanent fixtures or appendages to our person.
I believe one of the secrets to purposeful living is knowing when to put the gloves on and when to take them off. Yes, it is important to be vulnerable and open; however, it’s also important to protect ourselves when dealing with the thorns, known and anticipated. And it’s okay if we get it wrong occasionally. The key is to learn from life’s lessons so we can grow and become wiser individuals. When we inevitably make the choice (and demonstrate our courage) by not wearing gloves, and get bruised or cut anyway, then we will learn and do differently next time. Isn’t life more meaningful and beautiful when we can experience it with all our senses?
For me, ‘taking the gloves off’ means being myself in all places, acknowledging the truth, surrounding myself with positive people, offering only love, knowing God is always with me, and being relentless in my pursuit to realize my full potential. I simply don’t have time to fumble with putting gloves on all the time. Let’s keep it real. Oftentimes, the act of putting on and wearing gloves creates more tension by slowing us down, adding unnecessary anxiety to the situation, and forcing us to do just ‘one more thing’ before acting. We must believe in ourselves and our ability to discern, navigate and manage through any situation. Life is for living and feeling, and feeling is everything.
Do I have a few scars from not wearing gloves? Absolutely. Do I believe the magical moments of life reside in being present, open, and vulnerable? Unequivocally, yes!
#taketheglovesoff #glovesoff#operationbutterfly