I recently watched a video about vulnerability that had a profound effect on me. Brene Brown believes that our joy and happiness, or lack of, is directly related to our ability to be vulnerable. Her research found that we numb ourselves from feeling, with various substances, in order to prevent ourselves from being vulnerable.
Vulnerability holds us back from feeling the good as well as the bad.
Therefore we simply do not feel anything.
What is vulnerability?
Vulnerability is about taking risks - taking a leap of faith without a safety net. Putting yourself out there and opening up yourself to criticism as well as praise.
Vulnerability is telling someone you love them regardless of the outcome. It's about asking for a raise when everyone tells you it's impossible; it's not waiting until you can do perfectly; it's risking a friendship by being honest; quitting a job that no longer works; letting go of a relationship that no longer feels good; moving cities without a secure job; traveling to a foreign country on your own; taking a year off to write that book you've always wanted to; starting your own business; learning to fly; speed dating; wanting to have a baby without a partner; fulfilling a childhood dream of playing the piano.
My most vulnerable moments were calling a boy who I fell in love with when I was 11 after 32 years, and searching for my father whom I never met.
We cannot always be certain of the outcome. Nor can we be guaranteed the results will be favourable. However, how will you ever know if you don't risk being vulnerable and take the leap?
For me, being vulnerable paid off - big time.
I am now blissfully married to that boy I fell in love with in 1969; and although my father passed away before I met him, I connected an entire other family I never knew I had.
In 2011, I am committed to being vulnerable. Playing it safe doesn't serve me anymore, nor does numbing out. I want to feel - everything - good, bad and everything in between. I want to play full out. I want to take risks.
I don't want to hold back.
It is time. The world is waiting and I'm ready.