Scars Go Deep

Vulnerability is one of the hardest places for people to go within themselves.  It means that you have to admit when you have been wrong.  It means you have to show your scars and your wounds.  Being vulnerable means allowing yourself to be seen for exactly who you are.  Just as Brene Brown discusses, you cannot make deep, meaningful, connections without being vulnerable, and usually that means showing people your weak spots.  We all struggle with being vulnerable because we have learned, over time, to build walls.  We have been taught, either directly or through society, that emotions are meant to be hidden, and that you cannot show any weakness.  I think that is the issue.  People associate weakness with vulnerability.  But in my experience, it is the strongest people who allow themselves to be vulnerable, because they know even after allowing someone to see them for exactly who they are that they can continue on living and succeeding.  Weakness, in my opinion, is when someone is too afraid to be vulnerable.  Vulnerability can be difficult.  It can make people defensive and, depending on the person, even depressed.  Sometimes people don't actually deal with these vulnerable spots.  But on the other end, vulnerability can allow people to overcome their greatest fears.  It can allow people grow and realize their full potential.  But most importantly, it is the absolute key catalyst in creating the most deep and meaningful relationships.  The people I feel closest too are the people who have held me while I've cried, listened to my fears, and shown me their true selves as well.  Most people are like Brene Brown, instead of embracing vulnerability they push away from it.  But the world would ultimately be a better, happier place if we all just leaned into the vulnerability a little bit more.