Can I be soft?

I just discovered more wisdom on the subject of vulnerability and needs. This comes from poet Mark Nepo and his book, The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have. He says:

"Asking for help, whether we get it or not, breaks the hardness that builds in the world. Paradoxically, asking even for the things that no one can give, we are relieved and blessed for the asking. ... One of the most painful barriers we can experience is the sense of isolation the modern world fosters, which can only be broken by our willingness to be held, by the quiet courage to allow our vulnerabilities to be seen. For as water fills a hole and as light fills the dark, kindness wraps around what is soft, if what is soft can be seen."

That is just beautiful. Can I allow myself to be soft? To be open enough to ask for what I need? To even admit that I have needs?

I really love the image I get when I hear the words "kindness wraps around what is soft."

Now to live in this new way of being! It's one thing to read about it. It's quite another to make changes to how I lead my life!