Strength through vulnerability
Being vulnerable. Who wants that?! Nobody I know…although, deep down, I think many of us do want to be open and “vulnerable” – at least when we feel safe enough to do so. From a great little devotional (Each Day a New Beginning):
Often when we’re being tough and strong, we’re scared. It takes a lot of courage to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to be soft. – Dudley Martineau
We’ve developed defenses for protection because we have felt the need for protection from the abuses of others, parents on occasion, bosses, spouses, even strangers. And in certain situations, our defenses served us well – for a time. However, they have taken their toll. Hiding behind them for long makes them habitual and we move farther and farther away from our center, from the woman each of use needs and wants to be.
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiyarhode/2252741333/
Exposing who we really are invites judgment, sometimes rejection, oftentimes discounting. It’s a terribly hard risk to take, and the rewards are seldom immediate. But with time, others respect us for our vulnerability and begin to imitate our example. We are served well by our integrity, in due time.
Letting others see who we really are alleviates confusion – theirs and ours….There is only one appropriate choice to every situation – the one that is honest and wholly reflective of who we are at that moment.
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Not ready to go "gently in to that good night?" Me neither! We have too much to offer the world to go into hiding! And every day offers new opportunities to come out of hiding and shine our lights.
