Shell in a nutshell

Many times while interacting with friends and listening to each other's sob stories , we all use the word 'shell'. This very word rules such conversations where the rest of the team consoles the depressed one. Those five words -'Come out of your shell' are frequently used by the experienced, yet non-professional counsellors cum friends who try to pacify the disheartened soul. This is strictly not only meant to be used in a situation where teenagers or sometimes adults try to help a friend come out of a broken relationship . The words also signify the motivation provided by the well wishers to a reserved or a shy person with a view to change the individual's mind set of remaining cut off with the rest of the world that seems not so good to him.

Its a slang and a style " c'mon dude , cum out of ur shell' cmon now SMILE"....so i also jus kinda thought of flipping the pages of thesaurus n c what it has to say bout the word.........

I came across the following meanings of the word 'shell'

1. 'A hard outer covering enclosing something'

2. 'Walls of an unfinished or gutted building'

3. 'Hollow metal/ paper case to enclose explosives'

As a reader, I perceived different meanings that I thought of sharing. The interpretation of the meaning of the very word is purely based on my nature, experiences and attitude towards life.Let's take up the first one:

A shell is a hard outer covering enclosing something: We are all surrounded by an outer covering.This is a special covering not visible to the naked eye and is self designed with a view to protect our feelings from the scorching heat(repulsion) of the outside world . We all feel safe, cozy and happy in this shell of our own. The other day while interacting with a friend, my conversation revealed that I was more productive when I am left alone.Here , my being alone signifies my shell- a special private place that I don't share with anyone. Here, I am the one who thinks, I am the one who decides and I am the one who acts. So here all the feelings, emotions are safe and intact. Breaking this shell is not an easy job.

The second meaning-shell is a wall of an unfinished building.....The shell created by us is of course an unfinished building that has the capacity of adding on more stuff to it-if permitted. This includes the bricks of experience that would renovate the shell. It needs repairing and cementing by friendship at times.

The third meaning-metal/paper case to enclose explosives-On this I would say that emotions are no less than explosives. Emotions at times can turn you into an explosive. At times, it is highly recommended not to ignite the human bomb.

So in nutshell, this is how I perceive a 'shell'....perception varies though.