What does it mean to be vulnerable? Miriam Webster’s dictionary describes vulnerable as:
1. capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
2. open to attack or damage
Being vulnerable is not easy! You have to be OK WITH ALL OF YOU! Being vulnerable is not just showing the happy, sparkly, everyday is wonderful side of you. It's about being transparent and revealing the parts that you'd rather deny or keep hidden for fear of judgement, ridicule, being labeled, criticized, misunderstood, or worst of all rejected!
It's not like we would walk up to someone and say "Hey how are you?... I'm insecure today"
But the truth is that some days may be that way! So how do you reveal you authentic self and still not risk the chance of being considered crazy, weird or the BIG "D" word.....depressed?
The truth is that you can't! Now, I am all about being optimistic and I definitely look to on the bright side and the glass half full. But I still have days that I can't quite pull myself together because of something! There are days I feel lonely, there are days that I cry, there are days that I feel insecure, there are times that I feel left out, there our days that I wish I wasn't ADD (and all that goes along with that), there are days that I wish people didn't hurt my feelings, there are days that I wish being more organized came naturally to me, there are days that I wish I had enough money to do all the things that I want to do, like build a shelter and feed the homeless daily, there are days that I feel fat, there are days that I wish I didn't yo-yo in my weight, there are days that I wish I never let anyone down, there are days that I wish there was enough of me to go around, there are days that I wish I didn't still use my fingers to count or have to ask how many ounces are in a quart, there are days I wish I wasn't so forgetful, there are days that I feel depressed and I can't even put my finger on WHY, there are days that I wish I didn't procrastinate.....and the list goes on and on!
I'm the happiest me I know and I still have these thoughts, concerns, and worries that phase in and out of my mind at times.
Sometimes being vulnerable comes from putting yourself in certain situations or even by choice, like writing this blog.
So, I have been practicing being vulnerable daily! I want to be authentic, I want to be a beautiful person, I want to be someone that people can relate to, I want to be all that my Heavenly Father blessed me to become!
I strongly believe that our weaknesses are there for a reason and its so important to LOVE ALL OF OURSELF......WEAKNESS AND ALL! I believe that closing that gap of what someone sees on the outside and what someone feels on the inside is the perfect path to being authentic. And vulnerability is the vehicle to getting us there.So being vulnerable can kind of make your feel weak....Like the time that I told my dear friend that when I receive a compliment that I wish I truly believed it...Or the other day when I felt so strongly to go to the temple with my dear friend and my mom.... and the weather man said that there was a chance of snow flurries but nothing would stick. So I proceeded to drive there. No one in the car knew that I had a HUGE FEAR of driving in the slick conditions! I didn't even realize how huge until I was shivering and stiff as a board with my hands gripped to the steering wheel. I had a terrible experience in the past that caused me to say "I will never drive on this again" So here I am driving on it. What should have been a 30-35 minute trip turned into a 3 1/2 hour drive. I went through every emotion and physically felt the fear to as my body was reacting along with some PTSD issues. I was a mess! But I was so determined to face my fear. I realized I was being so incredibly vulnerable because I was speaking out loud what every single fear I had was as I was driving! It could have sounded ridiculous to the others in the car. But they went the distance with me and I made it to my destination. After putting myself in a place of vulnerability I could totally recognize the growth. It was 20 times better on my way home because I felt accomplished that I had made it to my destination and pushed through my fears.
1.VULNERABILITY IS EASIER WHEN YOU DESIRE TO BE ALL THAT YOU WERE MEANT TO BE.... You were meant to shine! You were meant to share your amazing talents! You were meant to bless the lives of others by giving only what YOU can give. You were meant to connect with others...YOU WERE BORN FOR GREATNESS! Don't let your fear of rejection or criticism stop you from being all that you can be. Step out of that space and be open with the people around you! You will find that people go through the same feelings and emotions but how much more beautiful to grow together when being open and vulnerable.
2. BEING VULNERABLE TAKES PRACTICE... Being vulnerable is not something that just happens overnight! In fact, I remember when I was going to start this blog...I was scared to death! What would people think of me if they knew the depth of the pain and sadness I have experienced? It seemed so scary to put out all of the feelings, thoughts and experiences that I have faced! But after writing it has been the complete opposite. The testimonies that have come from others who have read my blog have blessed my life. I have grown so much from learning to be vulnerable. I choose to be open everyday! It is always something I have to think about and choose to be open.
3. THE REWARDS OF VULNERABILITY ARE IMMEASURABLE... You may never even know how your openness can bless another...I remember recently reading a post on FB one late night about a mom that just didn't feel like she could conquer all that was on her plate and she wondered how everyone else had it all together.... Her beautiful and VULNERABLE post immediately had a ton of responses because other mothers were reaching out and some even said..."glad to know I'm not the only one."
Many times people measure your outsides by their insides and it will NEVER BE A MATCH or an equal playing field! So when openness and vulnerability occurs then everyone wins!
You can experience true connection like we were built to have when you choose to be vulnerable. We really are way more complex than we show and when we start paying attention to all the thoughts that we have in a day, and we are open and vulnerable and willing to share ourselves then lives are blessed including our own! You wont be able to imagine all the blessings of growth that can come to you! So the next time someone asks you "How are you? Be honest and vulnerable and watch the beauty that comes!
FIND JOY IN BEING VULNERABLE and OPEN YOURSELF UP TO GREATER POSSIBILITIES!!!
