Almost nothing is more terrifying to a survivor than asking them to be vulnerable. We have felt TOO vulnerable most of our lives. First at the mercy of our abusers, then hyperaware of the world that has proved itself to be a threat to us, potentially dangerous at every turn.
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In her book, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone, Brené asks:
When the barrier is our belief about vulnerability, the question becomes: ‘Are we willing to show up and be seen when we can’t control the outcome?’
When the barrier to vulnerability is about safety, the question becomes: ‘Are we willing to create courageous spaces so we can be fully seen?
In her book Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, Brené says…
Vulnerability is not weakness, and the uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional.
Our only choice is a question of engagement.
Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection.
…vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.
The Power of Vulnerability with Brené Brown
See more on Brené’s powerful work on my blog Shame & Empathy with Brené Brown 1
