Secrets, Secrets Are No Fun
Published: May 18, 2010
Secrets secrets are no fun. Secrets secrets hurt someone.
Everyone has secrets. I don’t care who you are; you have one, possibly two.
But who are you keeping your secrets from?
In a recent interview, well-known and beloved children’s author Robert Munsch shared a secret with the world. Munsch’s books like The Paper Bag Princess and Love You Forever have sold 30 million copies worldwide, and he took a big chance when he admitted that he is a recovering cocaine addict and alcoholic (clean for about four months) as well as being diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive and manic-depressive. Surprised?
Munsch goes on to note on his website that although news to his fans, it was nothing new to his family. “They have been a big support to me over the years, and I would not have been able to do this without their love and understanding.”
Interestingly, he goes on to say, “Everyone will talk to their kids honestly, listen to them, and help them to do their best with their own challenges.” Wise words. People who struggle with difficulties in life still have much to offer to society in my opinion.
But how will the parents of these youngsters view him now? For years, he has been known to have a gift for communicating with children. He is able to span the communication gap between the parents and the child, building bridges through humor and outlandish circumstances to entertain, yet also teach children important life lessons. Will people be quick to focus on the negative and turn a blind eye to the positive impacts he is making?
In society, there is a reason secrets exist. People are afraid to admit to wrongdoings, to weakness, to mistakes, for fear that their past transgressions will cloud their present, and more importantly, their future. Many feel that although they have sought forgiveness, and done everything to move past their negative behaviors, that it will be held against them for forever. They feel like they will never meet the standard others have made for them.
Do you feel that way? I bet Robert Munsch does. I know I do. But you should know that you don’t have to be held a prisoner by your secret. The truth can set you free. Take a page from Robert Munsch’s book, and begin to let others know about your secret, begin to acknowledge your problems and let those around you help you move past them. So many better things are waiting. You can take a look at this life lesson here, called “Secrets: How to Stop Hiding” for help with this issue.
I know that I struggle with sharing secrets, past mistakes, or hurts that I have caused others. But sharing with others is a good way to explore your feelings and begin to take control of your life again. Sometimes talking to someone can help in surprising ways. Feel free to talk to one of our mentors.
What do you think? Do you have secrets that you are keeping that you don’t want to anymore? Are you worried about what those around you will think of you if you do share? Let us know what you think; we’d be interested to hear it.
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There IS a lot of pressure on people to keep secrets. At work, among friends, even within our own families. We don’t want to show weakness, we don’t want to hurt our reputations. So it’s hard to talk to people about it.
That’s why it’s sometimes easier to talk with strangers online than it is to people you know … it’s basically anonymous, so it’s “safer”.
Secrets can be dangerous and devastating! Yesterday at school my daughter’s 12 year old friend told her he was going to commit suicide. She didn’t know how to handle this. I had to guide her to understand that some secrets were very harmful and needed to be shared with the right people. We ended up talking to her teacher about this situation. My daughter was assured that the secret would be handled with discretion and as a result, she walked away feeling that she no longer had the burden of the world on her shoulders.
I am 59 now, and have never told the secrets of our homelife as kids. I never will. I tried a few times and was then treated differently, as if I had become unfit. Not all secrets can be told, as it accomplishes nothing, and changes nothing. If I were to tell now, what is to be gained?
Jenna, I understand what you are saying. I think it becomes critical to who we share these things with. After my daughter told me about the incident with the boy and we talked to her principal, we felt better about the situation. Then we discovered we had probably told the wrong person. This principal gave that poor boy two days of detention for saying he was suicidal. It makes me cringe to realize we told the wrong person. I know we needed to tell someone, but who would have guessed that this is how it would be handled. Do people not know how to deal with suicidal children? Secrets can become cancer in our souls. Sometimes talking to an anonymous person can even help bring perspective into a situation.
It is very freeing to share secrets with someone who will love you no matter what. When you hide things from others, it’s like your whole life,time and energy is caught up trying to arrange the “leaves” that cover that ugly secret. You’re on guard to make sure no one comes too close and accidentally discovers it. I’m thankful that my Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus, love me unconditionally, and that They know all my secrets. There’s a promise he has given that says that God sees me constantly. It’s not like He’s constantly watching & waiting to whack me when I do wrong; quite the opposite. He loves me so much He can’t take His eyes off me! It`s one secret I`m glad I was told!
I tend to tell people the bad stuff. Not everyone, mind you, but it gets told, because sometimes the only value in a thing is the story you can make of it afterward.
But the secrets that I would never, ever tell? Those are good things, little gems of experience that I’ve sworn not to share, because no one else could value them as much as I do. If I’m going to spend my life keeping something that close to me and never letting it go, then it’s gonna be something I love and treasure.
I found whenever I told a secret to help someone or myself. It Backfired on me and the peraon I tried to help. I have since learned the Lord is a doer and not just a listener and he does and ahs intervened in my life and the life of others just by my telling him and prayer. Jesus Christ is Lord.
wouold like
Proverbs 28:13 “Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and renounce them find mercy”.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Secret is truly not fun… and it gives burden to us… base on my experience I can say that this is not healthy psychologically, physically and spiritually, but ofcourse I am not speaking in general for I know that there is a degree of secret… as long as the Holy Spirit convicts you to say or share it with other for you to help in prayer or lessen the burden from your heart do so. Remember: John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
GOD BLESS US ALL!!!
Sincerely there is no Need to keep secret, they always come out in the open and when is out it hurts a lot of people.
good article, thank you.