TED talker Brene Brown, who studies human connections, about vulnerable people:
“They fully embraced vulnerability. They believed what made them vulnerable, made them beautiful. They didn’t talk about vulnerability being comfortable, nor did they really 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… The willing to invest in a relationship that may or may not work out. They thought that this was fundamental.”
“I know that vulnerability is kinda like the core of shame and fear and our struggle for worthiness. But it appears it’s also the birth place of joy, of creativity, of belonging, of love…”
She also says, that one of the ways many people deal with vulnerability is, that they numb their vulnerability – even though life is completely vulnerable. And when you numb vulnerability so you won’t feel shame, sadness or fear, you also numb the ability to feel joy, gratitude, happiness and compassion. You can’t selectively numb just the negative parts.
Through life I have wished for the ability to numb my vulnerability every once in a while. Or to be able to just put it aside for a bit. But the wish hasn’t really ever come true. I cannot put aside my vulnerability. It’s huge part of who I am. And even though it causes many challenges and tears every now and then, it’s also the reason why there is so much joy and sincereness in my life.
Brene Brown continues:
Let yourself be seen. Deeply seen. Vulnerably seen. Love with your whole heart, even though there is no guarantee. Practice gratitude and joy. Instead of catastrophes what might happen, be grateful for all that is. To feel vulnerable means you’re alive. Believe that you are enough. When you work from a place where you feel, you’re enough, you stop screaming and start listening. Then you are kinder and gentler to people around you and kinder and gentler to yourself.