Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is scary. In our society, we’ve programmed ourselves to shut down vulnerability. It’s better to stick with what we know, avoid risky situations and try not to stand out. This is all a product of fear which is often debilitating to our self-worth. When we’re driven by the fear of what others think or see we end up trying to prove our worthiness rather than living in it. We attach our self-worth to what we produce or earn and this makes being real seem risky. However, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable gives us a powerful and authentic way to live. As Dr. Brene Brown says in the video below, “Innovation and creativity are born of vulnerability.”

Without vulnerability we cannot access empathy, joy, love, courage and creativity. Conversely, when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable we experience true human connection. If we can let go of who we think we should be and allow and love ourselves for who we are, we can find connection in our life and in the world around us. Our vulnerabilities are authentic to who we are and if we embrace them we can live a more fulfilling life.

To embrace our vulnerabilities, to conquer fear, dismiss shame and to live life wholeheartedly we need to allow ourselves the following:

1. To let ourselves been seen, deeply seen
2. To love with our whole hearts, even though there’s no guarantee
3. To practice gratitude and joy, especially in those moments of terror
4. Believe that “I am enough”. This makes us kinder and gentler to the people around us and kinder and gentler to ourselves

Please take the time to watch this video and share when you are done.

Dr. Brené Brown is a researcher professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work, where she has spent the past ten years studying a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness, posing the questions: How do we engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to embrace our imperfections and to recognize that we are enough — that we are worthy of love, belonging and joy? Brené is the author of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power (2007) and the forthcoming books, The Gifts of Imperfection (2010) and Wholehearted: Spiritual Adventures in Falling Apart, Growing Up, and Finding Joy ( 2011).

About World Minded Team

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