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ChangingMinds Blog! > Blog Archive > 03-Feb-12

Friday 03-February-12

Real intimacy

Quick: What's the definition of intimacy?

My wife and I were on the train together recently and she was listening to a funny podcast and wanted me to listen. So she handed me an earphone. Not just any earphone but one of those in-ear things. I didn't hesitate to accept it.

But then I thought, what if a stranger had done that. Eugh! Putting something that had been in his ear in mine? Maximum yuck!!

So there you have it. the definition of intimacy is 'sharing earwax'.

:-)

Your comments

Well, my contribution is that intimacy is an act of sharing closely a feeling or sensation, maybe through words, a thought that conveys feelings. But words mostly get in the way of intimacy.

The hazard of intimacy is that it can bring up old repressed feelings. Feelings of unmet need. So sometimes we avoid intimacy in fear of (the original resonant fear of) NOT GETTING IT. That is what classical tragedy is made of. Unrequited love.

The benefits of intimacy are relaxation, creativity and the development of real relationships with real people.

NO Pressure!

-- Paul G.