Vulnerability
“Vulnerability is not weakness. The pretense of invulnerability is remarkably delusional; it is symptomatic of outrageous vanity. To ignore consideration of our own vulnerabilities represents a failure to properly risk ourselves in the world. To turn away from or attempt to exile others who are vulnerable expresses a profound and disturbing loss of humanity. Our relationship to vulnerability is a core element of our authenticity and our identity.”
– Brian Alger
It has been awhile since my last posting, not by design, but instead by neglect in allowing so much time to pass. Starting right out being vulnerable opens a space within me to write something of value for you my readers. How much are we willing to be vulnerable to life’s changes and challenges? Open into new possibilities of expressing ourselves at the very core of our being?
We all have stories of a time when we felt vulnerable. However, do we have experiences where we purposely opened or placed ourselves in situations where being vulnerable put us at risk of exposure? Exposure to being seen – even those parts that we try to keep hidden for fear that we won’t be loved, liked or seen as strong, smart, independent, competent, etc, etc etc.
As the two quotes above reflect – our relationship to, and acceptance of, being in a state of vulnerability opens doorways to expression, innovation, authenticity and knowing more of who we are. Here is a recent example from my own life.
A few days ago I decided it was time that I started exploring the possibility of attracting a loving relationship with a man into my life. Since I have a home business I am often isolated, thus the decision to go to the online dating sites for those over 50 years of age. What a treasure trove of ways in which people hide, practice dishonesty, or at the worst attempt to scam others – mixed in of course with those of us who are openly and honestly representing ourselves – like me.
Yet, it felt that this was the way to go at least for a one month membership to practice my vulnerability skills. The clarity that I have received over the past few days of exploration is that I kept cutting off possibility by assessing that someone just wasn’t a fit because___________ (you fill in the blank). My delete finger was getting a lot of practice!
Going deeper with this I realized that it was the men that had vast differences in their background, education level, interests etc. that had my delete finger hitting the keyboard. Once I realized this I practiced reaching out to someone who had expressed an interest in me first and who’s world was so completely different from mine. Letting go of any preconceived notions I realized that there was room for possibility to expand and learn something new in areas that I had no competency in at all.
Yikes, no competency!…and there rests the risk of savoring the journey that opens doorways to self and other understanding. Perhaps even leading to that “birthplace of innovation, creativity and change” and possibility….where the other feels just as vulnerable as you do!
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Gaye Abbott, RYT assists individuals to dissolve the layers that cover the natural innate blueprint we came in with and reveal, through a combination of evolutionary energy work, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Reiki and breath re-patterning, the larger purpose and co-creative expression that we are here for.
For those interested in receiving private sessions please contact Gaye at: JoyfulGaye@NaturalPassages.com. Travel to your location in the U.S. or globally is available. Please inquire. Skype: gaye.abbott
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