I believe this.

A quote from C.S. Lewis found its way to me today.

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully around with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable."

I think that this quote has been part of my journey for the past few years. The struggle to be vulnerable and to love. To be hurt and not build a wall or protective space around my life to protect myself from further hurt. Tough, tough stuff. But, I believe it's also the stuff of the abundant life. Let us live.