Wisdom From A Pizza Box

When I was in University there was an infamous pizza place at the end of my street called Pizza Express (**moment of silence**). Not only was their pizza, breadsticks, and dipping sauces life-changing (especially at 2am), their drink cups were especially formulated to double as official beer pong cups. Genius. What was more genius, the little bits of wisdom they instilled in the form of pizza box goodies. Often, we would open our pizza box to find tootsie rolls, candies, and sometimes, pizza express condoms. Yes condoms. On the packaging it said "Express Yourself, Don't Expose Yourself".

Now, as far as sex education goes, that is sound advice. But as far as general life advice, I can't completely agree. In life and in relationships, it is critical that we express ourselves to others in order to strengthen ourselves and our relationships. Sometimes in order to express ourselves, we have to expose ourselves. By "expose" I am talking about letting others see the sides of your personality or character that you aren't comfortable showing or sharing personal details that you might not be comfortable sharing. I am always amazed to think that people don't want to "break down" or "come clean" or just completely unload their feelings, fears, and concerns because they are worried that they will look weak or crazy. In actuality, the people who are able to completely expose themselves and "put it all out there" are perhaps the bravest of them all. Maybe for that moment you feel like a cry-baby, a complainer, an idiot, etc... but if you can step back and really think about it, you've stayed true to yourself and maybe brought yourself closer to your own truth and maybe even closer to the person you opened up to. In any case, exposing yourself can be a very difficult thing to do- and a very important one. You will never grow as a person or in a relationship if you can't, every once a while, expose even your deepest or silliest fears, hopes, and dreams. Those who are worthy of your love and time will accept you for who you are and feel privileged to be entrusted with your feelings and thoughts.