Vulnerability is Strength

"The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity for sacrifice. Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable; they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed." — Ernest Hemingway

This is what I circled back to after a long discussion with a former student, a discussion where it became abundantly clear that I did not have all the answers. I left that conversation with some work to do, because I’ve got to tell you...it shook me. I felt like I had let them down. 

I started with some questions: Are we letting people down if we show our vulnerability? If we reveal our weaknesses and readily admit our struggles, does that mean we cannot be teachers? Helpers? Examples? Supporters? 

No. No. No. No. No. 

Because, when I think of what I’ve most profoundly learned from others, I think of people who have overcome struggle...hardship...pain. Who, along their journey, fell HARD time and time again, but refused to stay down. 

I come from a long line of those who have fallen. Men and women (mostly women in my case) who just-kept-going. Yet, when I think of my grandmothers, I remember their smiles. My grannies laughed. And laughed. And laughed! Books could certainly be written about their hardships. I’m talking about some hard stuff. And yet, they laughed. They gave themselves permission, after all the hell and torment they had gone through, to feel joy. What a lesson! 

SO- Who am I to think struggle and imperfections should keep us from inspiring, comforting and teaching? 

These things make us whole. Let’s give our whole selves. No one has all the answers. Thinking we do is just ego BS. Our vulnerability is a big part of our authenticity. And our authenticity is what will help people the most. Our authenticity is our direct line to acceptance. Accepting ourselves AS WE ARE will help others do the same for themselves. And don’t we all want to help? *

Vulnerability is strength.