Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Acquiring a Taste for True Intimacy

by Donald Miller

The problem is this: those of us who are never satisfied with our accomplishments secretly believe nobody will love us unless we’re perfect.

No love is conditional. If love is conditional, it’s just some sort of manipulation masquerading as love.

You think you’re being self-deprecating and funny, but you’re really saying I’m not a good enough person to love you if you have a few flaws.

Acting may get us the applause we want, but taking a risk on being ourselves is the only path toward true intimacy. And true intimacy, the exchange of affection between two people who are not lying, is transforming.

I’m convinced every person has a longing that will never be fulfilled and it’s our job to let it live and breathe and suffer within it as a way of developing our character.