Coaxing a tortoise out of it's shell.

We're born in this sort of shell, one where our mother and father protect us from all the evils of the world.
But as we grow, the invisible womb our mothers still hold us in slowly disintegrates.
We are thrust out into the cold, cruel world to fend for ourselves.
Some embrace the opportunity whole heartedly. They are life's dart boards, ready to take anything it has to offer; the most amazing, or the most heart wrenching.
Others are not so eager. They do not want to be shown off like a store front window for all to see and criticize.
These people create their own unique defense sytems.
Some create soemthing as simple as a mask, while others build intricate fortresses around their feelings.
When you hide yourself and your feelings from others, the probability that you will miss out on some of life's greatest things increases immensely.

Take off the mask, and watch the wall of your fortress crumble to the ground.
The intensity of your life will increase exponentially.
The dull, monotone colored palette of your life will become vivid with experiences.
You might get hurt in the process, and it might feel like hell at times, but things will always work themselves out.
And with the chances of getting hurt, you also have the chances of finding the best thing that will ever happen to you.