DeborahBurkeHenderson.com

MAY 2024 – ON BEING VULNERABLE

I wear the cloak of vulnerability. I always have. Being vulnerable felt like a negative quality most of my life, but I have finally come to treasure this quality and regard vulnerability as the amazing asset it is. Being vulnerable brings me to my authentic self, encourages honesty and truthfulness, and acceptance of my emotions—whatever they may be. Being vulnerable allows me to share more of myself with another and in that sharing, our relationship deepens.

Brené Brown, American professor, social worker, and author says, “What makes you vulnerable, makes you beautiful.”

Brown also said, “Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experience.” If I had only realized this growing up, but now I know the truth of these statements. Can you see how being vulnerable heightens your connection with others? As we explore and express our emotions, being vulnerable gets us closer to our own truth.

American poet, essayist, and musician Criss Jami said, “To share your weakness is to make yourself vulnerable; to make yourself vulnerable is to show your strength.”

By becoming more mindful, I am training myself to accept and allow my feelings to be. I am learning to take the time to pause, sit with an emotion, observe it, and breathe it in. This all takes patience, of course, and practice, and we must train ourselves to view things in a nonjudgmental way.

Whenever I allow myself to be candid and open with another that action usually breaks down walls of separation, and a greater closeness can result. Our emotional self-awareness will improve, as we build truth and authenticity.

Vulnerability is a source of growth and deeper spiritual awareness.

Last month I mentioned that I focus on one inspirationally chosen word throughout a given year. It is a spiritual practice I took on after reading a beautiful little work of nonfiction, One Perfect Word, by Debbie Macomber.

A few years ago, I focused on vulnerable and vulnerability. That was the year of my reckoning; the year my attitude about this quality changed for the positive, and what a revelation it was. You might want to try this practice for yourself. It could just be a life-changer.

Whenever you are feeling vulnerable, try to recognize this sensitivity, this awareness, as a positive quality. Be open to it, accept it, breathe it in.

Blessings to you and yours,

Deborah

  ________________________

“Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable.

It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need.

To talk about how you are feeling. To have the hard conversations.”

                                                                     —Brené Brown

My morning mantra:

"I arise this morning with a smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. 

I vow to live fully in each moment and to greet every being I meet with compassion."

        ~ Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist 

                                                                                    [1926 - 2022]