Naked and Unashamed - Authenticity and Acceptance

The gyms will be all but filled soon! Mid-year at times is like the start of a new page or year. It comes with the excitement of newness! The past seems like it could be all forgotten! The calendar seems like an umpire or referee speaking of another golden opportunity we thought we had lost. I, myself, am used to the allure of something new, especially at this time of the year. Perhaps we all have an inborn desire to be forgiven and reborn anew!

Yet, why do I start with the gyms being filled? People low-key don’t necessarily want to keep fit as much as look fit. There is the gym enthusiast who would do everything except have a regular medical check-up, or the person who would take pills to help reach their fitness goal without taking a look at the package insert or screen for regulatory approval or comments. Nonetheless, we all have the need to be seen and valued appropriately. At times, we ponder on opinions shared only on the faces of people and conclude that our bodies aren't right. We talk about being comfortable in our own skin and size, but we can't ignore absent minded comments regarding the subject!?

Even spouses fear rejection from each other regarding their bodies, though they long to be naked; it is another thing entirely to be unashamed! I think we all have an innate desire to be accepted, and so we shape our bodies to fit the description of that acceptance the best way we can. It's so puzzling that while we had clothes on, we still didn't want to be shamed about our nakedness.

The concept of being Naked and Unashamed seems to have its roots in the Judeo-Christian worldview. Some believe it fosters a form of intimacy and righteous consciousness, people tend to feel guilty due to their religious or moral background if they were to be naked with someone other than their spouse. Though I don't intend to explore this in detail today, I can't ignore the interplay and arbitrary nature of the human will or the concept of the human conscience.?

When I think of this today, what really dawns on me is the importance of this concept in every intimate or close relationship we all share. Deep down, we all want to be able to cast off restraints around those we love and hope it won't be mistaken for weakness; better still, it won't be used to hurt or shame us in any way! It's so tough; many of us hide behind cloaks we have built for people to interact with. Even those who wake up next to us at times wonder whether they have been with total strangers. We have somehow perfected the art of deceiving ourselves just to avoid that hurt, but every now and then, we wish to be seen for who we are! Loved irrespective of the imperfections we bear, and still appreciated or respected by those given that privilege... It's all about being naked and unashamed!

I want to be seen, heard, and loved for all of me (good, bad, ugly), and still valued as the great person I believe I am. You might be reading this and can relate; it could be your spouse whom you hide from, a friend you are tired of keeping an act around, or a prospective lover you are climbing mountains to please. I acknowledge it's tiring; at times, I have been the person who is being pleased, and other times, I have been the one putting up an act! That's why this concept, from a social and emotional perspective, weighs heavily on me.

If you aim to build any meaningful friendships or relationships, you must always evaluate yourself -- your thoughts, words, and actions -- in the light of this concept. Are you truly naked -- vulnerable, seen, and still unashamed -- respected, loved, and regarded? You must build conversations around it and weigh one another; you can't walk on eggshells forever.

At times, we don't even like the ugly and hope to change, but there is still nothing like the support of a loved one who values us despite seeing the ugly; one who is gracious through the process. All these thoughts bring me back to the allure of the Judeo-Christian perspective of God - He somehow has the uncanny ability to see everything, know everything, yet love everyone and walks them graciously through the ugly they see while not backbiting or shaming anyone.

I won't conclude cos I hope to write the part 2 sometime soon. Even though I write to encourage people to appreciate themselves and understand others, the best use of this is to look around you and ask introspectively, do I allow people be naked and unashamed? Till next time, winks!

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