One thing I have learned hard, if indeed I have learned it now: it is a reduction of our humanity to hide from pain, our own or others'. To hide from anything. That was Marian's text. Be open, be available, be exposed, be skinless. Skinless? Dance around in your bones.
In Wallace Stegner's "All the Little Live Things," the narrator reflects on a vital lesson regarding the nature of humanity and the importance of embracing pain, both personally and in relation to others. The insight conveyed emphasizes that avoiding emotional pain diminishes our human experience. Instead of hiding or shielding ourselves, we should remain open and vulnerable to life's challenges.
The idea of being "skinless" symbolizes a raw exposure to the world, encouraging us to fully engage with our emotions and experiences. By urging readers to "dance around in your bones," Stegner suggests that true living comes from authenticity and the acceptance of our inner struggles. This powerful message calls for courage in facing pain as an integral part of the human condition.
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