If you offer your heart on a platter and someone starts carving it up for dinner, it can make you just a touch protective in the future.

When you are brave enough to show how you really feel, you should be rewarded, right? And if you tell the truth, it should make people happy, but it doesn't always. And because it doesn't, many of us are hesitant to say what we really mean or to show how we really feel. And some of us get upset if we tell the truth and everything isn't suddenly wonderful.

I've had people whine to me, "Wel-l-l, you asked me what I though," when they didn't like my reaction to what they just told me. Sure, I asked them what they thought, but when they told me, I had my own opinion too. Should I agree with them just because they were honest? I don't think so! Many people seem to think that they should be rewarded for telling the truth. I'm missing something here. I mean, I thought people were supposed to tell the truth ALL of the time. That it wasn't this HUGE deal to tell the truth. I sure hope I'm not wrong!

What do you think? Should you offer your heart to those you care about or hide it deep inside?

Nobody wants to be judged as silly, stupid, or even ridiculous. But if you're not willing to risk judgment then no one will ever get to know what you really think and feel. You'll never be liked or even disliked for who you really are.

So what's a girl to do?

First of all, consider the following...
If a girl is really, really overweight. I mean she has a medical problem and is obese and someone comes up to her and says, "You are way too thin. I think you are anorexic. You better get some help," she's not going to believe that, is she? Of course not. But why not? For two reasons. The first one is obvious, the second one harder to see.

She won't believe it because she knows that it's not true, AND she won't believe it cause she isn't scared that it IS true.

In other words, if someone calls you stupid when you KNOW that you are smart, it hurts your feelings, but you don't get all sad or worried that they're right cause you KNOW that they are wrong.

But if someone tells you that you are too fat, even if you have been feeling beautiful, you might worry that it's true IF you are afraid of being too fat.

Get it? Your fears can make you crazy. What other people say to you when you offer you heart and they really see you (or even when your heart stays hidden deep inside) ALL comes through the filter of YOUR fears and certainties. Get to know your fears. Learn what makes you worried. Understand that it isn't always what people are saying that hurts you, but rather what you are scared of.

Meanwhile, you need to decide if it's worth it to you to show people your heart. To choose whether you do want all the joy and sorrow that goes with showing the world the real you. Let me let you in on a little secret... You still will be judged if you choose to live on the surface. People will judge what they see, even if it isn't the real you. If this gives you comfort to be judged or misliked for who-you-are-showing-people instead of who-you-really-are, then go for it, but remember... You might never be loved for the real you either.

Personally, I think it's worth the risk, but each of us has to decide for herself. If you do decide to share your heart with others, I wish you the courage to learn about yourself and grow into an amazing woman. If you don't choose to show others your heart, I wish you the opportunity one day that will make you comfortable enough to do so.

Speaking of being judged... Do people think you're selfish? ARE you? Find out!