Is this one of those days? Yesterday you could take on the world. But today? You’re shaky and unsure of yourself. Vulnerable.
Most people do whatever they can to not feel vulnerable. It’s too uncomfortable. It’s like walking around with your insides on display.
Your first instinct may be to pull the covers back over your head, grateful for the protection of your bed.
Or maybe you shore up the defenses like you’re getting ready for battle. You know, hide the valuables sort of thing.
But the truth is, the face you’ve carefully crafted has no substance. And you don’t want to reveal the truth.
Before you decide there is something wrong, let me reassure you that this feeling of vulnerability may be the Universe’s invitation to your next big step forward.
In fact, it’s your best opportunity for growth.
Before you’ll believe that (I can feel you shaking your head in disbelief), let’s look at four deeply-held myths about vulnerability.
Image courtesy of stevepb.
- Vulnerability is dangerous. People can see where you can be hurt. It’s either hurt or be hurt. You can be attacked. That brings along its sister-myth:
- When I’m feeling vulnerable, I must protect myself. There must be something out there to worry about, even if I don’t see anything!
- Vulnerability depletes your strength/confidence/power. You become drained when you allow yourself to be vulnerable.
- Being vulnerable is weak. People see you as a winner when you show your power. Invincibility is key to success.
Vulnerability can indeed be dangerous. There are situations in life that call for a show of strength, even when you aren’t feeling that way! But those aren’t what I’m talking about here.
You know the times I mean. When your inner alarm begins to shriek, yet there are no saber-toothed tigers nearby. Your body tightens up anticipating those sharp teeth anyway.
Here is the secret. It’s not the state of vulnerability that feels so scary. It’s your resistance to it and fear of it that create the disharmony.
What if you welcomed this feeling of vulnerability? If you stepped into it with curiosity? What if this is where you cross over into the new life you’ve been longing to embrace?
Change feels unsettling. It is uncomfortable. And so you want to hold on to what you’ve known. After all, that’s your safety net, in case things don’t go so well.
But it doesn’t bring you want you really want. Because on the other side of safety is the life you’ve longed for.
Change opens you to what is new, the next destination on your journey. It’s like the next breath. You wouldn’t hold on to your last breath for fear that there won’t be a next one, would you?
When I’m feeling vulnerable, I get curious about it. I go into the feeling in my body so that I can fully inhabit it. When you reside within your vulnerability, you realize that it is fluid. Instead of being threatened by the change, you are protected by its inherent nature to evolve and grow. You are protected not by putting on a suit of armor, but by allowing yourself the space to be where you are in the midst of change. Your own vulnerability takes you through because, in it, you are connected with your own true worth.
As you breathe, the feeling breathes. You get to inquire into the energy of this change. What it offers to you. How you can rise to this occasion.
And within yourself, answers come. You integrate this change and your energy matrix reorganizes into something new. Vulnerability transitions to inner support.
You become stronger and more resilient because of your vulnerability.
Until the next time change dances through your life and the process begins anew.
Your inner partner is ready. And so are you.
How will you allow yourself to be vulnerable?
Laurie Seymour is a mentor/guide, #1 best-selling author, host of the Wisdom Talk Radio podcast and founder of The Baca Journey. She helps women and men who are in the midst of great change to have a direct experience of their inner wisdom, dissolving self-doubt. Then she provides the strategies to sustain their inner connection so that they live the life they know is possible with confidence. Start now with a complimentary exploratory session (virtual tea!). Let’s explore where you’ve been and illuminate where you’re heading.
Image courtesy of, IGOR TREPESHCHENOK.
