“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”

“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”

I can’t tell you how many times in my life I have ran across this quote and thought to myself…wow this is genuinely true. Then I remember the countless times I have tried to breakdown walls within myself and walls of others, and truly wholeheartedly cared and wanted to be that person who cared enough to break them down. Nevertheless I have learned that the only person who can break down a defensive wall; is yourself. 

We have all been hurt in the past, had our hearts broken or maybe even terribly offended by someone, maybe we have been hurt in ways that words cannot express, in return we created this invisible protective barrier to prevent the hurt from re-surfacing. In doing so, we sometimes alienate ourselves from other people. At the same time, however, we have this natural desire for human interaction and deep inside we seek true friendship with others. It's like waiting for the right person, and we eagerly await someone or anyone who would be brave enough to break our walls down..

This is perfectly normal. Just like a scab protects a wound, we all put up walls for protection. The unfortunate thing is that these barriers we protect ourselves with are only masking the hurt. We’re not bringing any true healing to ourselves; we’re only sealing the pain. At some point in time, the past hurts will resurface and we’ll have to face them again.

Just like trying to conquer fear, you will have to face those past hurts. You have to learn to forgive those who have done you wrong and hurt you deeply. You see, when you put up walls you’re not only blocking others from seeing who you are but you’re blocking yourself from gaining the full benefit of those around you.

Not everyone today is out to get you, there are those who will hurt you in the future, regardless…sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone and take chances in order for someone to see the light that’s in you. You have to go outside of yourself and seek ways to bless other’s. In order to truly heal those past hurts you have to break down your own walls and open yourself to rejection. It may not happen overnight, but with time you will learn that its ok to get disappointed and feel hurt, those feelings and experiences are things we truly learn from, its how we appreciate life and all of its wonder. And honestly you never know if the person who you are trying so hard to keep out, may just need your compassion and love just as much as you seek it.