Secret Stuff

Everyone has a secret that they haven't told anyone. Ever. Special secrets that you're certain would curdle your world if they got out. You'd have to move two states away to make another life free from your unleashed secret.

While we know, logically, that only about ten people would register that what they've just heard is a) true and b) worth listening to (maybe), your secret might reach someone whom you care about. Perhaps your secret is about that person. Or that person's mother. That person might become deeply offended and try to hurt you.

Of this you are afraid. Very afraid.

Or perhaps your secret is something truly embarassing but easily forgettable. Like eating your boogers or shaving your toes. This is the kind of unleashed secret that might brand you as weird or dangerous, especially if you live in a small town. If you are in high school, you may consider these kinds of secrets, if unveiled, to be a real threat to your health and well-being.

Maybe your secret is a pleasure for you to keep. You don't want to share it with anyone because doing so might diminish the joy you find in keeping it for yourself. These secrets are delicious. Perhaps you eavesdrop on people's conversations and write them into your short stories. Perhaps you watch Gilmore Girls religiously.

If you have a secret, I have found something that you may enjoy. It's a blog that posts other people's anonymous secrets. It's called PostSecret. People mail in their handmade postcards anonymously and Frank posts them. It's a confession of sorts, a kind of unburdening. Some are joyous, some are truly pathetic. Here is my favorite: