How do you view vulnerability?
Do you consider it a weakness?
On the other hand, do you view it as strength, as well as an opportunity to better connect with others?
Take a minute now and decide how you feel about being vulnerable and if it’s something you find easy to do or if you simply choose to lock it up and keep everything to yourself.
This quote by Criss Jami expresses how that even though being vulnerable exposes our perceived weaknesses; it is actually extremely powerful being able to do so. Yet how many people, especially men, still view being vulnerable and open with others as weakness rather than strength.
Speaking from experience, when I was growing up, quite a few years ago, sharing things I was struggling with was something you didn’t do. It was not socially acceptable for a male to open up and if he did, there were a handful of demeaning names used to describe him.
Even now, it is still quite a challenge for many men and women to remove that mask they wear so tightly.
Why is that? Why is being seen such a scary thing and why is it so threatening to others?
The funny thing is, man or woman, it doesn’t matter, we all experience the same emotions and feelings. At the end of the day, we are all human.
If we allow society or others dictate whom we should be and how we should act, we are robbed of one of our greatest gifts to the world and that is to be ourselves.
When you are able to shed that false belief that being vulnerable is weak, it grants you the ability to let go and step out from behind that mask. It allows you to be you. Think about it, how awesome would that feel?
Not only are you able to work through whatever you are experiencing but it opens the door for others and empowers them to feel comfortable to do the same.
It’s refreshing to see that there are so many more people embracing vulnerability and it’s healing power now than ever before but we still have a long way to go.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s always the easiest thing to do. Fear definitely likes to stand in the way of us stepping outside beyond the comfort of our learned beliefs, opinions, habits, etc.
Although when we are able to challenge that, being more open with ourselves, and the people around us allows our true strength to shine.
So go ahead and try it.
Now it’s your turn.
How does this quote inspire you?
Tell me about an experience where you, in the moment, wanted to be vulnerable and open up. However, you believed that doing so would be a sign of weakness, and therefore, held you back from expressing how you were feeling. And by holding back, what was the result?
Contact me or share your thoughts below in the Comments section.
Let’s get the discussion going.
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Together we can become stronger individuals.
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