Psychologists overages and renowned researchers have shared that vulnerability is a strength and not a weakness. But as Neale Donald Walsh aptly says, “Words may help you understand something. Experience allows you to know”. Unless one experiences truth in its completeness, it is difficult to imbibe the fact that has presented itself.
Brene’ Brown, famous author, researcher and a storyteller has beautifully shared about vulnerability. She says, ‘You can’t get to courage without walking through vulnerability’. However, for a very long time, I chose to believe it otherwise. I saw vulnerability as a weakness, something that is a trait of timidity. I shied away from being my authentic self behind the veil of false confidence and it was a surely a fast-track road leading to building up unhealthy self- esteem. But after years of self –work, I began to realize that nothing is more important than embracing the truth of who you are and most importantly just the way you are at that moment. Life is a growing up process and each moment brings with itself an opportunity to become better and explore this possibility every single time.
Human life is the most precious gift one can be blessed with. Each one of us is planted consciously at a place and in given circumstances that will allow us the best environment to grow and explore the highest human potential.
However, the clarity to understand the above gets clouded in the web of thoughts that are socially imposed and based on derivatives of fear. So, here are 3 things that I discovered which helped me understand vulnerability as strength.
- It pushes you out of your pre-set comfort zone: I would like to see comfort zone as something that holds you back from exploring your full potential at that moment. Living in comfort zone comes from innate resistances that one develops over a lifetime or many, which create a veil of illusions and curbs one’s potential to grow. It often breeds complacency, and over a prolonged period of time, it may even breed unhealthy emotions of fear, malicious intent and so on. But vulnerability pushes you out of your pre-set comfort zone. It pushes you out to look beyond ‘right’ and ‘wrong’; ‘should’s’ and ‘should not’s’. It pushes you to look at things ‘As It is’. It brings you into the present moment and nudges you into practicing awareness.
2. Vulnerability demands surrender: Yes, it demands surrender; surrender to whatever shows up in the ‘now’ and with an innate belief that whatever shows up at the moment is for a purpose. A purpose that is eventually driving you to be your very best; to reach out to the depths of your existence. And this is ever- expansive in its nature and ‘all – inclusive’.
3. It opens up gateways beyond your conscious mind: Vulnerability is a language of the mind that connects you to the dimensions of your subconscious and beyond. In absolute stillness, it reveals you your innate strengths. Strengths that are rooted in human consciousness and beyond. Strengths, when used, can set you on your path to Freedom from various defilements of your minds like fear, greed, and many other derivatives of these emotions. They help you walk your path and fill yourself with more of love, compassion, and appreciation for your own self and others. You begin to understand that each of us is connected in the cosmic web of creation. The paths may be different for each one but the eventual destination of freedom is the same.
Some may consciously acknowledge their path to freedom, but many seem to discover it when they start living their purpose and start walking their quest.
The journey of thousand miles begins with a small step and so, for me embracing my vulnerability and looking at it as one of my strengths for the first step in my quest.
May you be guided to walk your path, live with passion and breathe in courage as you set yourself up to discovering your innate strengths. When you live from your strengths, you inspire others to see and do the same. Eventually, we are all mirrors to one another, reflecting our self in the other.
(P.s: I have been hesitant before to share my above artwork – Happy Hippo art, but now I am ready to share it just the way it is. Share a part of you today and inspire others to do the same.)
Very well described in words. Thank you.
Thank you for wonderful article amd sharing valuable 3 things.