Tip #43: It’s Okay to Be Vulnerable

When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability…To be alive is to be vulnerable.”
-Madeleine L’Engle

With all the pain and challenges in life, it would seem foolhardy to encourage vulnerability.  However, there are benefits to allowing yourself to be open to the unknown and accepting your inability to handle every situation by yourself.

Now, think of a time that you were vulnerable. Perhaps it was the moment when you first told someone that you loved them?  Or maybe it was the last time you experienced problems with your health?  Chances are you were apprehensive (or just plain scared) about the outcome.  Will the person you love feel the same about you?  Will your illness be treatable?  While these events leave you open to harm, they can turn out to be positive experiences.  Consider the satisfaction of knowing that you are loved in return!  Imagine your joy when you learn that you will recover!  If however your vulnerability leaves you wounded, there are still lessons to be learned.  Emotional and physical pain can often be the impetus for positive personal change and improvement.  In addition, you will find yourself surrounded by an unexpected and kindly support system that you may not have realized existed.

Take Home Message:

Don’t deny your vulnerability – embrace it. It is proof that you are a caring, involved, and strong individual!

“I am not a person who likes to be viewed as vulnerable – I usually prefer to be a portrait of strength, stability, and independence. My experiences, however, have taught me that there are times that it is necessary and beneficial to let down my defenses and allow myself to be loved by my support system.”
-Jamie Saunders (featured in Perseverance)