Being Vulnerable

BEING VULNERABLE

What happens for you when you read the word ‘vulnerable’?

I imagine some thoughts come in – some feelings arise – or you may simply ignore it and treat it as a word.   I’m not attached to the outcome.

For some, it is seen as a weakness.    If you are one of those, I wonder though if you are able to see it in you or when you see it in others, that it is not a weakness.   It is actually a strength to allow your vulnerability be seen.

Human Condition

You see it is part of you regardless of how much you may try to pretend it isn’t.   It isn’t a choice – it is simply there – part of the human condition.

If you ignore it, then you are also ignoring you and pretending to be something that you are not.

A truth is that we are all vulnerable to a greater or lesser extent.   It is, once again, us trying to be in control of ourselves and life and we imagine that by pushing it away, it will simply vanish.

Our challenge is to see that we have choice in having the courage to own it, make friends with it and not be afraid of it.

It is usually our fear of showing our embarrassment, our shame, our mistakes, our tears at, not only our own but also others’ helplessness…….. that causes us to pretend or put on the mask of ‘I’m all togetherness’ and pay lip service to life.

What were you told when you were a child?

As children we were normally told to be a good boy or girl, and so these may be some of the messages you heard when you were little –

Everyone is looking at you

Don’t be a cry baby

Stop crying

What are your tears for?

If you don’t stop, I’ll give you something to cry

And so you swallow back the crying and brush away your tears.  Or you don’t ever try to do whatever it was you were attempting to do or not to do because of the shame or embarrassment.

Most of you pick ourselves up and get on with life and when able, allow yourself to carry on learning and growing

with mistakes, errors and successes.    For some, you realise that it is not good to be vulnerable so hide the tears inside as it would be too painful to show them.   AND you stop from stretching yourself by keeping you in your comfort box.

These days, it is a brave man or woman who is prepared to allow their vulnerability to be seen – to stand up and

be counted.

I want to invite you to ‘join the clan’ and to know that whether you sit on the sidelines, dip your toes in or run screaming, laughing and jump in to this thing called ‘Life’, we are all vulnerable and to rejoice in this part of us that is so beautiful and the nearest quality to our Soul.

For those of you who are ready learn more about your vulnerability (and are on the self-development path already), contact me  irene@irenebrankin.co.uk  and give me your telephone number and we can discuss your next step.

Love and Blessings