We are often trained to view expressing our vulnerabilities as a sign of weakness. Why? Being vulnerable means that we are taking a part of ourselves that is painful and exposing it. This of course makes us open to rejection, even more pain, loss of love, and lack of acceptance. Things we all desperately try to avoid in life.
So why open ourselves up to this possibility?
When we reveal who we are in both the things we value about ourselves and the things that scare us, we are actually beginning to acknowledge and accept all that we are. The mere fact that we are strong enough to express our demons means that on some level we are accepting them. When we can gain acceptance of all that we are, we can start to feel whole. A genuine love for ourselves develops that is not dependent on anything or anyone.
This unconditional love for ourselves, in turn, creates more space for genuine relationships. When we feel whole, we can begin to see and accept the wholeness of others around us.
It takes courage to open ourselves up to whatever the responses may be. I suggest doing this in baby steps and at our own paces. Hopefully we will gain more authentic love and acceptance from others, but we also need to be prepared to not get the responses we are hoping for. Whatever happens with others, we definitely will gain something far more valuable, we will feel more connected to ourselves in a sincere and authentic way.
So let’s start to face those very things that we think we can’t deal with! When we do have the courage to the face them, marvelous things seem to start happening. It definitely does a mind and body good!
Restartwell 