Vulnerability
When you are vulnerable, you give others permission to do the same.
As humans, we naturally crave connection with others. It’s just part of who we are – wanting to feel understood, supported, and like we belong. But what’s scary is how easily we can lose our identity when we’re constantly searching for approval from the world, becoming consumed by trying to mold ourselves into a perfect version that doesn’t exist in hopes of being good enough.
Yet, in order for connection to be seen, we have to allow our true selves to be seen. There is so much power in being vulnerable. In fact, vulnerability is our greatest strength.
The best stories are the ones that talk about failure. No one likes to fail, but when you fail, you also come back stronger. These hard times, these lessons, this pain – one day they’ll be your strength, your awareness, and your blessings.
We spend so much time guarding ourselves against failure because we’re scared the outcome won’t be what we hoped for. But we all have moments of crashing and burning, so what good does it do to spend our lives just playing it safe, never allowing ourselves to take risks?
One of my biggest fears is looking back on my life and realizing that I didn’t fear regret more than I feared failure.
It takes a special kind of courage to try something new, knowing it might not work, but understanding that something else will come from it. Failure is inevitable, but success comes from failure. We can all take that truth and with it what we will.
Vulnerability is uncomfortable and scary, and can feel so isolating, but when you choose courage over comfort, you see the power of vulnerability.
You are your own person. You get to make your own decisions. You get to formulate your own thoughts. You get to make your mistakes and you get to fix your mistakes. As you end one stage of life and begin the next you will never know for sure if the decisions and choices you’re making are the right ones. It’s not about instant gratification, though we often feel like we need everything right now. I feel it too—this rush to make everything happen at once.
When you are vulnerable, you give others permission to do the same. When you let yourself be seen, you inspire others to let themselves be seen. When you believe you are enough, you show others that they are enough too.
One of the most important times in life is when you start to identify your gifts and use them to help others. One of my favorite reminders is what’s most personal, is most universal. Vulnerability is a superpower if you allow it to be.
