I often say “do something every day that scares you” and I mean it. Why? Because it teaches us the power of vulnerability. It takes courage to do things that scare us, to leave our comfort zone and be vulnerable. And when we are vulnerable, we learn new things and we make big changes.
Brene Brown has may quotes on vulnerability and here are some of my favorites:
“Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”
“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.”
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
“To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees – these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. But, I’m learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude and grace.”
“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.”
“If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
“When you shut down vulnerability you shut down opportunity.”
“There is no intimacy without vulnerability. Yet another powerful example of vulnerability as courage.”
And last…
“Vulnerability is not about winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome.”
I hope that you will see that vulnerability is the antidote to shame, a building block to big changes, and a key component of intimacy in our relationships. In my relationships, I seek out those who I can be vulnerable with and give them the same safe emotional space they give me. It deepens the relationship so immensely that it is hard to explain in words. When you can open up your heart, get scared, and talk about the most difficult things with another human being–in complete safety–it changes you as a person and it forever changes the intimacy of the relationship.
I hope that you find ways to be vulnerable in your life, your relationship, your job, with your family and friends, and in everything you do. It takes so much courage and strength to be vulnerable, and as you practice it more, you will experience one of two things. You will succeed in your endeavor, or you will fail. People will hold you with safety, compassion, and care–or they will hurt you in your exposed state. Hopefully not the latter, but it is important to help you weed out the people who are good for you and the people who are toxic and not safe for you. As you filter out the dangerous people, vulnerability will become easier and you will become stronger in your quest to grow, change, and live the best life.
Sending you all the love, all the time,
<3 Tukayote <3