Shield

We played a game in theatre the other day where you randomly picked someone to be your worst enemy, and someone else to be your protector. Your protector had to be halfway between you and your enemy at all times. 

At first I imagined that everyone would be in the corners with a few people running around, the rest comfortably 'protected'. 

What actually happened was a chaotic spiral of people chasing after each other. No one accomplished their goal of having their protector between themselves and their enemy because nobody knew who was who. Your protector had no idea they were your protector, your enemy didn't know what they were to you either. 

That game is what's wrong with relying on someone else to shield you from the world. 

They may not always bear in mind how you feel. And even if they do, may not know how you feel. Sometimes it can be hard to express emotions with words. 

If only we could feel to each other. 

But we can. I have felt the amazing unpleasantness around people and the glorious joy around others. 

You need your own personal shield. A barrier between you and those who can pollute your joy. Do not block out the good, the glorious, and the shining. Simple put up a screening process, assessing people before you allow their influence to reach your fragile (or not) core. 

I for one am very impressionable, easily influenced by others' writing styles and attitudes. If someone around me is complaining, I am more likely to complain. 

With every action or reaction on my part, I analyze these to determine their origin, and who is currently contributing to my character.

People are like blank canvases when we are born. Our genetics determine the size and shape of the canvas and the colors of paint we can work with. We, ourselves, and the people we surround ourselves with, create the painting. The first person to start on your canvas does not finish the whole thing, they do a small part while they are in your life. 

This is a painting that is never finished. 

Who do you want contributing to your painting? Someone who is rude? And sometimes you don't get to choose. They get right in there with a paintbrush whether you like it or not. You need a barrier of ideals and people to guard your painting. Watch who influences you, who shapes who you are, and who gets to paint your canvas.