Table of Contents
Vulnerability and courage are needed to take risks. Courage cannot take place without vulnerability and vulnerability takes courage. Psychologists, social workers, and others in that in that line of work, can measure vulnerability by the amount of courage one put forth when they show up and are seen but they have no control of the outcome. They just put themselves out there.
My daughter is inspiring, mature, and brave! I want to dedicate this blog to my daughter, who at the very moment I write this, is making herself vulnerable and finding the courage to stand up for herself in a difficult situation. I know this because I was in her situation as an adult. I can’t imagine how she found the courage to take on such a situation as a teen, but she has. And that is why I am extremely proud of her!
Watch this video to discover Vulnerability and Courage – Take the Risk. 
It can also be found on my Facebook Group page, or on my YouTube channel.
So, let’s first define vulnerability. Vulnerability is the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. Society has taught us that being vulnerable is a weakness but thinks about it. Is it really a weakness? Have you ever shown courage without vulnerability? I can’t think of a time I showed courage without vulnerability.
How about courage? The definition of courage is the ability to do something that frightens one. Or, to find strength in the face of pain or grief. Wouldn’t you agree, that in order to face courage, you would have to show some form of vulnerability? And the more courage you need to find, the more vulnerable you will need to be as well.
It’s ironic that we are raised to be strong and have courage, but view vulnerability as a weakness. They both go hand in hand.
Now, let’s define risk. Risk has several definitions, but for the purpose of this article, we will use this one: risk, the possibility that something unpleasant or unwelcome will happen. This is the exact reason many of us choose not to take risks. Therefore, we do not put ourselves out there to be vulnerable and show courage.
I feel it is important to define some of the words we are using because we may not apply them correctly. If we break them down, things will make more sense as to how they are used.
To carry on, many people take a back seat when it comes to having the courage and being vulnerable. They are quick to criticize but never want to take the wheel. These are the people you do not want to listen to. They will judge you, put you down, and hate on you, but just drop them and don’t look back. DO NOT TAKE CRITICISM FROM THOSE THAT DO NOT PUT THEMSELVES OUT THERE TO BE BRAVE WITH THEIR LIVES.
You want to surround yourself with those that are positive, the ones who acknowledge and appreciate your vulnerability. They may not agree with you, but they appreciate the fact that it took courage to stand up and they acknowledge that it was not an easy task. They know and appreciate because they too are risk-takers.
Vulnerability in Depth
There is no winning or losing when you show you are vulnerable. Being vulnerable in itself is the rewarding part. You are displaying courage. However, with being vulnerable, you will also take a beating at times. This is all part of the process. And this is why many people do not want to show their vulnerabilities. It’s showing up and putting yourself out there when you can’t control the outcome.
Have you ever passed upon an opportunity to do something, like take another job in another state, tell someone you love them, go skydiving, trying on that outfit, or something like that? Do you regret not taking advantage of the opportunity and just run with it? Most likely it’s because you were shamed, scared, uncertain, fearful or it made you anxious. Can you relate? That is vulnerability, my friend!
Now, think about the vulnerability on the flip side. It brings belonging, happiness and love! Doesn’t that sound good?
I know, I know… Now you are asking yourself, how can vulnerability be so extremely opposite, yet still be vulnerability?
How about love? Have any of you been in love before? Perhaps you avoid it? Well, those of you who avoid it, never take the chance to seek it out and act on it. Those that have found love at one time or another, took the risk to spend time with the ones they love. It made them happy. And at any given time, it could be stripped from them, yet they took the risk anyway.
What about happiness? This could easily be one of the most vulnerable of human emotions. When one experiences too much happiness, then they feel it will be taken away at some time or other, and in some fashion that is not desirable. If I am this happy, it’s too good to be true, right? Or, if everything is going so perfectly, my luck has to end soon.
Sure, sure… we are not happy 100% of the time, but that does not mean that we don’t stick our necks out there, expose ourselves a little and take a risk from time to time. That would be too boring. And one can miss out on so much.
Many people will pass on happiness because in exchange sometimes, there is hurt, pain, loss, and or trauma.
Belonging is an interesting word. How would you describe belonging?
We, as people, are hardwired to belong whether it to someone, something, etc. Did you know that the opposite of “belonging” is “fitting in?” Do you understand the difference? I think a lot of people would think they are the same, but that is incorrect.
This again, is why I like to dissect words and meanings.
To “fit in” one must conform. You end up changing yourself and your beliefs. This could be changing what you say, things you wear, things you do, people you hang with. All just to fit in. Again, you change. You change to “fit in.”
To belong is to be true to one’s self and beliefs. You don’t betray yourself for other people. There is no change. You are free to be who you are. It is then when you find where exactly you belong.
Vulnerability and Story Telling
I took a class once called “crucial conversations.” One of the topics was “storytelling.” Our brain is wired to tell ourselves stories when we are uncertain, scared of fear, rejections, loneliness, and more. Your brain needs a response to protect you. So you tell yourself stories.
Example: I text my daughter and she does not respond… for five minutes. 🙂 I think the worst. Was she taken? Did she get into a car wreck? I need something. Certainly, she would text me back if none of these were true. Nah, she was in the shower. What??? The shower??? I panicked because she was in the shower.
This is a little exaggerated, uh maybe not, but you get the gist of it.
Anyways, when we are uncertain about something, we tell ourselves stories. And most likely, they are not even close to what we are thinking.
For you men out there, what is the most popular masculine norm you are afraid of? I feel most would say “weakness.” Most men do not want to be seen as weak due to their social upbringing.
How about you women? What is the most popular feminine norm out there we are almost all afraid of? Did you say body shaming? If you did, you are correct.
So let’s look at both of these as examples. Have you ever told a story to yourself about one of these norms that were not even close to the situation at hand, but you thought of it anyway? This is telling yourself stories. The best way to fall out of this is to engage in actual conversation with the person directly to make sure you understand each other.
Try not to tell stories. We do this when we were are uncertain or don’t know what the outcome of the situation will be. Then we end up worrying about nothing and we may miss other opportunities because we are so focused on these stories that do not exist.
Be Grateful
The one element that all people exhibit when they embrace happiness is “gratitude.” They practice gratitude on a daily. Gratitude is a form of vulnerability. The understanding you gain from practicing gratitude frees you from the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally, which is known as…drum roll please… vulnerability.
I used to be a huge culprit of what I am about to write, but I feel we can all relate. So here goes… We get so caught up and busy trying to capture those “extraordinary moments” that we lose focus and do not pay attention to the “ordinary moments.” Sure we live for those extraordinary moments from weddings, birthday parties to promotions or change of jobs, that we lose sight of those small things, or, how we got there. These small things are the ones we will miss, the ordinary ones.
My husband is the “planner type.” I am constantly telling him to “live in the moment.” You are not guaranteed to make it to the future. The past you cannot change. But if you are here living in the moment, then you are here and you are absorbing everything around you.
Lastly, take risks and enjoy happiness. There is a cartoon out there that has Charlie Brown and Snoopy sitting on a dock. Charlie says to Snoopy, “We only live once Snoopy.” Then Snoopy replies back to Charlie Brown, “Wrong! We die once. We live every day!”
Check out my store Rock Your Vibe Apparel!
Welcome to Rock Your Vibe Apparel. My goal is to design apparel that will make a statement! Its full purpose is for you to be happy, confident, and comfortable with who you are. These are a few basics necessary to being happy internally and eternally!
“Your life becomes a Masterpiece when you learn to master Peace. “~Unknown
Get your FREE “Be Your Best Self Course” HERE!!!
Get your FREE “BE YOUR BEST SELF” course here!
DO YOU WANT TO PURSUE LIFELONG HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS?
Discover the TOP METHODS many of the most SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE are using to MAINTAIN LIFELONG HAPPINESS and ONGOING SUCCESS, for FREE!
Click here to get your 10 Free video modules and get you on your way to a HAPPIER YOU! 
Learn more from WTF, Wednesday Thought Forum
If you like this video, be sure to check out my YouTube channel for more self-growth information, interaction and to find WTF live every Wednesday at 7 pm EST.
You can also find me on Facebook.
Want more? Sign up for my emails…
Want more articles, tips, tricks, and hacks to read with your morning coffee? Sign up here to get the latest. I only send two emails a week.
Yes! I am on Pinterest too!
You can find me on Pinterest here!
