What is it to know and to be known by someone? for so long it has been dictated to us who we should be, what we should look like, what we should wear and do and where we should go and what we should have. for so long we have been told, climb and gain and work to constantly improve what others think, so that others approve and so that others accept. And the goal posts are constantly moved so we can never be, never have, never achieve and never look like … enough. so, we are taught to pretend, and all our communications filter out the bad and only show the good so that even we lose sight of who we are. I want to be known. all my strengths and all my weaknesses. I want to be loved, completely. we are individuals, yes. unique and beautifully so. but we are individuals in the context of family and community (or even communities) contributing to and receiving from the bigger whole. shining to and reflecting light from others. we are communities in the context of nations. one body of people developing for the good of all. and we are nations in one community of one humanity where we are all different and the same. we are single strands, woven into a single chord, knotted into a single net connected to other nets for strength and purpose. alone, my weaknesses, your weaknesses can break us. hidden behind the facade of pretence we cannot always stand strong. only when bound to and with one another, when strengthened through pressures and knotted in unity are we able to then offer safety and strength and find for ourselves the safety and courage to truly be … and to truly be free …