One Word at a Time

To me, this is about restraint. When I was a baby, there was no such thing as restraint!  When I loved something, I screeched, grabbed, scooted, kissed - I was completely overtaken by my love and wanted to tell the world.  My heart was literally on the outside of my body, reminding me of the term "wear your heart on your sleeve." Over time, restraint was a learned skill.  Somehow, through direct teaching or modeled behavior, I learned to "control" my emotions. When I saw something I liked, it was no longer "appropriate" to screech, grab, kiss. I still felt the same rush of emotion and joy - but it was half inside and half outside - still a smile, a laugh, a hug. Now, as an adult, restraint is a part of everything.  I shouldn't laugh too loud or too long, I shouldn't hold too hard, squeeze too tight.  Often we are reminded of something we love by a comment, a smell, an image.  And as we grow older, the amount of things we love, and ca...