Vulnerability

Vulnerable.

How do you define that word? Do you view vulnerability in a positive light or in a negative light?

Friends, I looked up the definition of vulnerable, and one of the definitions was "capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt," and this in and of itself can be seen in a negative light. Right? I mean none of us want to be wounded or hurt, so why would we want to be vulnerable? Why would this be an adjective we'd even hope to aspire to? 

Because with vulnerability comes truth.

And when you begin to live in a state of vulnerability, you bet you open yourself up to being wounded and hurt, but you also open yourself up to this beautiful ability to live in the truth, to stop pretending, and to be true to yourself and to those around you. 

And that is powerful.

And I've found that when you have the courage to be vulnerable, you give others the permission to do the same.

Connection is powerful, and in order to fully connect with people we have to allow ourselves to be seen, really seen. We have to have the courage be real, true and vulnerable. And that is terrifying. Allowing others to fully see you for you who are...allowing others to walk through the darkest parts of your life...allowing others to share in your joys and your struggles is terrifying. But the connection that comes through vulnerability and authenticity is so powerful and real and worth it.

I ran across this TED Talk The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown via a Facebook post.

First off, I love Brene Brown, and enjoyed her book Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the way we Live, Love, Parent and Lead. And second there's something about this word vulnerable that I just love. This word carries so much power and strength.

When talking about the commonalities between people willing to be vulnerable she says...

"These (vulnerable/connected) folks had the courage to be imperfect. They had the compassion to be kind to themselves first, and then to others because as it turns out we can't practice compassion with other people if we can't treat ourselves kindly. And lastly, they had connection, and this was the hard part, as a result of authenticity. They were willing to let go of who they thought they should be in order to be who they were. And you have to absolutely do that for connection.

The other thing they had in common was this - they fully embraced vulnerability. They believed that what made them vulnerable, made them beautiful. They didn't talk about vulnerability being comfortable, nor did they talk about it being excruciating...they just talked about it being necessary. They talked about the willingness to say I love you first. The willingness to do something where there are no guarantees...they thought this was fundamental."

 

Do you have people in your life who have the courage to be imperfect?  Who live in a state of vulnerability? And when you think about those people that you would describe as vulnerable, truth tellers - aren't they just some of the most beautiful people because of their courage to be imperfect?
And doesn't that courage inspire you to be courageous?

And I will now get off my soapbox and finish with this. Blessed are those who know their own brokenness and acknowledge they are in need of a Savior. I pray we all have the courage to be imperfect....the courage to share ourselves with others...the courage to be vulnerable. Be true to who you are and who God created you to be and lean into that.

And believe me when I say you will be blessed.