Vulnerability is not weakness
- The uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional
The only choice is a question of engagement.
- Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose.
We may have come to the point that rather than respecting and appreciating the courage and daring behind vulnerability, we let our fear and discomfort become judgement and criticism.
- What drives our fear of being vulnerable?
- How are we protecting ourselves from vulnerability?
- What price are we paying when we shut down and disengage?
- How do we own and engage with vulnerability so we can start transforming the way we live and love?
Vulnerability isn’t good or bad. It’s not a dark emotion nor is it always a light and positive experience.
Vulnerability is the core of all emotions and feelings.
- To feel is to be vulnerable
- To believe vulnerability is weakness is to believe that feeling is weakness
To foreclose on our emotional life out of fear that the cost will be too high, is to walk away from the very thing that gives purpose and meaning to living.
- Our rejection of vulnerability often stems from our associating it with dark emotions like grief, sadness, and disappointment.
- emotions that we do not want to discuss
Re-source: Reveal
The level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection.
- When we spend our lives waiting until we are perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable.
- We squander our precious time and we turn our backs on our gifts – those unique contributions that only we can make.
- Perfect and bulletproof are seductive but they are nonexistent in the human experience
- We must walk into the arena (new relationship, important meeting, difficult family conversation, etc.) with courage and the willingness to engage.
- Rather than sitting on the sidelines we must dare to show up and let ourselves be seen.
- This is vulnerability, this is daring greatly.
craving and resource from “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown