Awareness is born of intimacy. We can only fear what we do not understand and what we perceive from a distance. We can only find compassion and freedom in intimacy. We can be afraid of intimacy because we are afraid of helplessness; we fear that we don’t have the inner balance to embrace it without being overwhelmed. Yet each time we find the willingness to meet fear, we discover we are not powerless. Awareness rescues us from helplessness, teaching us to be helpful through our kindness, patience, resilience, and courage. Awareness is the forerunner of understanding, and understanding is the prerequisite to bringing suffering to an end.
Christine Feldman
Mindfulbalance 
This reminds me of Brene Brown’s work on wholeheartedness and vulnerability. I just recently learned of her and am in love with her work and with this type of material. Thanks for sharing this, it’s always great to remember to meet that feeling.
So true. I love reading your posts each day. Thank you _/\_