Today, the word intimacy has taken on sexual connotations. But it is much more than that. It includes all the dimensions of our lives — yes, the physical, but also the emotional, social, and spiritual aspects as well. Intimacy really means life sharing.
When we share our life experiences, feelings, desires, hurts, likes, dislikes, disappointments, quirks, to name a few, we are expressing intimacy in the rawest form. There are people that sleep in the same bed, night after night, have a physical relationship, but have no intimacy. Intimacy is not just physical, it is an openness and closeness without judgment, in every dimension of our lives. Most often, people find themselves sitting in a room full of people but feeling alone, due to not having this connection. Sometimes this comes from not wanting to be vulnerable and share themselves with others out of fear of rejection and/or betrayal from past experiences. The giving of information or knowledge of one’s life is often a very difficult and vulnerable thing to do but is worth the risk. When you do make the choice to share your life with another, be sure they respect and care enough about you to keep your vulnerable- intimate side confidential, you return the favor, and intimacy will follow.
As I would like to think, it is better to have shared an intimate moment, whether it be a romantic evening at the beach, a gentle embrace, or a meaningful conversation with a dear friend, than to be closed off emotionally and be empty. What the word intimacy means to each of us varies, it can be quiet complex to most, but yet at the same time, simple to a few. We all naturally desire physical and emotional closeness, so yes, be cautious, but do open your heart and soul to share your story.
