Vulnerability

Vulnerability is a greatly misunderstood word.  Some view it as weakness, even failure.  Vulnerability is actually courage. 

We take a risk when we become vulnerable.  We expose our soft side to some uncertainties.  Risky - yes, but actually becoming vulnerable demonstrates courage.  It means we've measured the costs and we are willing to step out and take the plunge, or whatever metaphor works best for you. 

Step Out

              Take the Plunge

I like those visuals.

Any time we take that daring step we open ourselves to the unknown.  Some hugely vulnerable acts include:

  -A divorce

  -Launching a new company

  -Going back to school after raising a family

  -Learning new information

  -A major career change

  -Starting a family

  -Writing/publishing a blog, magazine article or book

  -Singing/playing a solo

And a few thousand others.

Brene’ Brown, Ph.D. University of Houston, says this about vulnerability: 

“Vulnerability is emotional risk, exposure, uncertainty.

It is our most accurate measurement of courage.”

She goes on to say, “Vulnerability is the birthplace for innovation, creativity and change.  Adaptability to change is all about vulnerability.”

We dare risk becoming vulnerably because of the need to make a change.  Maybe we’re stuck.  Maybe we need more of something-like knowledge, money, customers, food and clothes, power and on and on. 

But the bottom line is this - we risk.  We become vulnerable. 

We say “Okay, time to move to a new plateau.  It’s time to be bolder than ever before.  It is time to create, innovate, and move from where I am to where I want to be.” 

Vulnerability!

                      Weakness?

Not on your life.

Scary?

                     You bet.

But …

          What might you become?

     What might you accomplish?

What might you build, or create, or invent unlike anything ever before seen on planet earth?

Dr. Henry Cloud says this:  “We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing.  Consequences give us the pain that motivates us to change.”

There is a quote by Anais Nin that nicely caps what we are talking about here.

“The risk to remain tight in a bud

was more painful than the risk

it took to blossom.”

When it is time to blossom, vulnerability is the next necessary step. 

Vulnerability is not weakness or loss or giving up.

Oh, no.

But it is creativity – stretching – growing – expanding – and finding the new and improved you.

Best regards to you as you find that new YOU. 

Be bold!

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

To view Brene Brown’s twenty-minute video clip, click this link.  It is well worth several viewings.

Listening to Shame Video Clip

Brene’ Brown is a Ph.D. at the University Of Houston Graduate College Of Social Work.  She has spent the past decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame.