“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”
“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.”
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
– Brené Brown
I was reminded of this beautiful quote from Brené Brown this evening after I decided to have a vulnerable conversation with someone that I care deeply about. The funny thing about it is the person I was having a conversation with is the same individual that passed along this quote to me a few months ago when it was featured in one of Mastin Kipp’s “The Daily Love” articles. Mastin shares some great stuff on his blogs. If you haven’t ever heard of him, it might be worth taking a minute to check him out!
Have you ever felt like if you were to ask everyone that you know for their advice on the way you are wanting to move forward on something that they would all say whatever you do, DO NOT DO what you are wanting to do and the way you are wanting to go about doing it?
Well, that happened to me today. But, I did it anyway. And I’m so glad that I did. You see, today I decided to be totally vulnerable with someone that I care deeply about and I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty, but I did it anyway. I was shaking and my heart was pounding and I was so nervous about the outcome, but I did it anyway.
And you know what?! I survived. And in the end, it turned out to be such a beautiful thing and a wonderful conversation. I think that sometimes people think that we can share too much with one another and that sometimes things are better left unsaid. I believe that if something seems so important to you that you know that you will not be able to get through it without sharing, then I disagree.
As long as our vulnerabilities are coming from a place of truth and love and how it is for us vs. blaming the other person, I believe it’s hard for things to go wrong. Granted the other person has to be open enough to be able to sit with you in your vulnerable state, but if they aren’t, I still believe it’s great to do it anyway so that you can see that and make a decision of whether or not that person is worth someone that you will choose to invest more time in by allowing them in to see your whole self or not.
I am committed to speaking what is true for me as embarrassing or silly that I think that it is and as scary as it may seem that someone could think that I am sharing too much information.
Is there something that you have wanted to say to someone, but you get too nervous or feel too vulnerable to go towards that particular conversation? I’d like to encourage you to do it anyway. And even if it doesn’t turn out exactly the way you had in mind and if the other person isn’t open to receiving it, be proud that you put yourself out there anyway and don’t let it make you afraid to do it again.
Because you know what? One of these days you will be lucky enough to have a situation like I did this evening where the other person totally appreciates you for who you are and is thankful for your honesty and vulnerability. And that, my friends, can be the start of a very beautiful relationship.
Here’s wishing many beautiful conversations in the near future for each and every one of you.
