The Power of Vulnerability
What does it mean to open yourself to the energy of endless possibilities presented by the universe? What if you take a chance by opening your body, mind, and soul to the energy and love connecting all of us? It is this step towards being open (or 'vulnerable') to what the universe has to provide that allows for awakening and can be a life changing experience. When this occurs, you can feel and embrace the Power of Vulnerability.
It is so easy to go through life with a shield up to protect yourself - a mask from hurt, pain, and even the unknown. The challenge is that life is a balance - if you protect yourself from feeling the lows, you are by default shielding yourself from feeling the highs. It is this 'comfortably numb' state that hinders self-awareness and slows growth. With that, it is important to remember that everyone's capacity to grow and break out of their own numb state is different. Being sheltered in this cocoon can provide a safe place to heal and gain strength to face the challenges of the world. The threshold of shutting down related to stress is different for everyone. It is not a weakness to seek this temporary shelter - it is a way to recharge. The key is to absorb, digest, and when ready, break out of the cocoon to continue your journey by harnessing the Power of Vulnerability!
So, on to our story and how the Power of Vulnerability started us on our journey....one day circumstances provided the opportunity for us to take a chance and open ourselves up to the possibilities of a friendship. Of course, in a typical scientist way, we analyzed and debated the merits of being friends, until we were hit by the metaphoric 2x4 in the form of a TED seminar called the 'Power of Vulnerability' (see link below).
Link to TED's Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
This was eye opening for us - what were we really debating? Two people who have gone through life more comfortably shielded than not were faced with the potential of an amazing friendship and were using debate to mask the fear - the fear of being vulnerable. We could be comfortably numb or we could take a risk and add the dimension of being friends who could do great things together and make a positive impact on the world.
We took a chance and embraced the Power of Vulnerability and learned a critical lesson - you cannot live life in fear.
Fear can be paralyzing - fear of the unknown, fear of the known, fear of change, fear of staying the same. Vulnerability is the act of being honest and open with yourself and others. This allows you to reach the essence of your inner self and break out of the cycle of fear.
We use this as one of our guiding mantras to keep ourselves true to ourselves and provide a foundation for facing the challenges of the world. It is not easy. It is scary. It can be liberating and it can be extremely rewarding!
From the The Wood Song by the Indigo Girls (official site):
It is so easy to go through life with a shield up to protect yourself - a mask from hurt, pain, and even the unknown. The challenge is that life is a balance - if you protect yourself from feeling the lows, you are by default shielding yourself from feeling the highs. It is this 'comfortably numb' state that hinders self-awareness and slows growth. With that, it is important to remember that everyone's capacity to grow and break out of their own numb state is different. Being sheltered in this cocoon can provide a safe place to heal and gain strength to face the challenges of the world. The threshold of shutting down related to stress is different for everyone. It is not a weakness to seek this temporary shelter - it is a way to recharge. The key is to absorb, digest, and when ready, break out of the cocoon to continue your journey by harnessing the Power of Vulnerability!
So, on to our story and how the Power of Vulnerability started us on our journey....one day circumstances provided the opportunity for us to take a chance and open ourselves up to the possibilities of a friendship. Of course, in a typical scientist way, we analyzed and debated the merits of being friends, until we were hit by the metaphoric 2x4 in the form of a TED seminar called the 'Power of Vulnerability' (see link below).
Link to TED's Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
This was eye opening for us - what were we really debating? Two people who have gone through life more comfortably shielded than not were faced with the potential of an amazing friendship and were using debate to mask the fear - the fear of being vulnerable. We could be comfortably numb or we could take a risk and add the dimension of being friends who could do great things together and make a positive impact on the world.
We took a chance and embraced the Power of Vulnerability and learned a critical lesson - you cannot live life in fear.
Fear can be paralyzing - fear of the unknown, fear of the known, fear of change, fear of staying the same. Vulnerability is the act of being honest and open with yourself and others. This allows you to reach the essence of your inner self and break out of the cycle of fear.
We use this as one of our guiding mantras to keep ourselves true to ourselves and provide a foundation for facing the challenges of the world. It is not easy. It is scary. It can be liberating and it can be extremely rewarding!
From the The Wood Song by the Indigo Girls (official site):
‘yeah but what it takes to cross the great divide
seems more than all the courage i can muster up inside
although we get to have some answers when we reach the other side
the prize is always worth the rocky ride’
seems more than all the courage i can muster up inside
although we get to have some answers when we reach the other side
the prize is always worth the rocky ride’
