Vulnerability is Priceless

According to the dictionary; vulnerability is defined as the quality of being easily hurt or attacked. Some seniors think it's funny to pick on the ninth graders because of their vulnerability. Vulnerability comes from the Latin word for "wound," vulnus. Vulnerability is the state of being open to injury, or appearing as if you are. Reading that definition who would ever want to be vulnerable? I have a different perspective on what vulnerability means. I believe it’s the ability to be your authentic, raw, beautiful self with all its imperfections. When we are vulnerable people get the see the real us not the person with one or more masks on. It means you have the ability to let your guard down and allow others to get to know you on a deeper level. A wise woman I know was once sharing about the journey of saving her marriage. She stated, I learned I would "rather be in relationship than be right". To me that is one of the best examples of being vulnerable. Here are some suggestions for embracing vulnerability:

• Do something out of your comfort zone – go to a restaurant alone, remove your mask and be who you really are, be honest with yourself and others without judgment.
• Give yourself a voice – share something with someone close to you that you have been holding in, speak your truth regardless of what others may think.
• Embrace your authentic imperfect self – accept your flaws, fight to keep growing as an individual, practice self-love.