Without vulnerability, we struggle to achieve love, creativity, belonging, trust, and joy (to name a few).  Today, let's courageously show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.

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Today, I will share myself authentically with the people around me that I trust.

Vulnerability is about showing up and being seen. It’s tough to do that when we’re terrified about what people might see or think.

– Brené Brown

When we live in a reality of conditioning we guard ourselves against the possibility of being hurt.

Many times we don't even realize when we are guarded or how thick the walls are.  The guarding has become habitual and we are protecting ourselves against people and situations that could open us to the wonders of the Universe.  Without vulnerability, we struggle to achieve love, creativity, belonging, trust, and joy (to name a few).  All of these experiences place us in the unknown and when we are living in our conditioning we need protection from the unknown.

This is where vulnerability comes into the picture.

Brene' Brown has spent the past two decades studying vulnerability, courage worthiness, and shame.  In her words “Vulnerability is basically uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.  It is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage”.

When do you think of vulnerability what comes to mind?

read out loud with purpose and intent:

Today I show myself for who I truly am at this moment.  My vulnerability empowers me.

Two phases to our journal practice today.

First, take a few grounding breaths and bring yourself into this moment.  Take a few more breaths with the intention of connecting and opening your heart.  Now spend 3-5 minutes writing (not thinking, just writing a stream of consciousness.  If you get stuck write the word vulnerable until your mind clears) on areas of your life that being vulnerable could really serve you or make you more connected.

Choose one thing that you do not believe you are very good at drawing.  (That is people faces for me)  Draw that and if you really want a dose of vulnerability color it as well.

The objective is to step into the unknown with an open heart, courage, and the willingness to do something uncomfortable.  That feeling you're having is vulnerability (unless you are stuck in perfectionism, comparison, or avoidance.  If that is the case you are in your conditioned mind.  Sit in stillness and breathe then proceed).

When I am authentic with my thoughts and feelings I allow others to be vulnerable as well.

I am grateful

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How did you answer the question in the Introduction?  (When you think of the words vulnerability what comes to mind?)  Many of us were taught that:

Emotions are insignificant

Never let anyone see you in a state of “weakness”

Things are either good or bad, black or white, true or false.

The list can go on and on.  That is our conditioning.  Try as we might there will be times that we are vulnerable whether we want to be or not.  That is called being human.  Making vulnerability a power you choose to have rather than an unavoidable stressor can change the feeling place of that experience.  You become curious and courageous instead of resistant.  This can be accomplished by being present and observant in the moment and having the courage to open yourself and show your authentic self to people you trust.

Brene' Brown writes on page 45 of Daring Greatly,

VULNERABILITY IS ABOUT SHARING OUR FEELINGS AND OUR EXPERIENCES WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO HEAR THEM. BEING VULNERABLE AND OPEN IS MUTUAL AND AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TRUST-BUILDING PROCESS

Please share your thoughts on vulnerability in the Activity Feed.

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Join us in the Intention Inspired Art Room for our community creative journaling.