Even typing that word is liberating.
I've had a lot of discussions about this lately. Vulnerability.
Brené Brown, a research professor, discusses this in detail in several videos (found here and here - the video above is about empathy, it will give you an idea of what your getting into - not to mention brilliant). A friend introduced me to her (thank you, you know who you are...).
Honestly - the first video through, I wanted to scream 'get out of my head!' thinking I was absolutely in line with this train of thought. My family notoriously criticizes me for wearing my heart on my sleeve - being too honest and open (another word for vulnerable in my opinion). Which made me think instantly - wow! aren't I whole-hearted and on the path to happiness?! Ha!
Eh! Wrong! Then I realized maybe I haven't been in all my relationships. More specifically, budding ones. What am I so afraid of? Why are things so different all of a sudden? Now, granted - not all of them have been like this, just a few. But still, this change in my behavior is alarming to me.
It's like this little voice in the back of my head guiltily saying 'don't be vulnerable - don't be whole-hearted' like I am not 'worthy'. But here's the thing. I am. We all are. And 2015 - you are in for a whole lot of worthy vulnerability, because if there is one thing I am committed to being for myself and my son - it's whole-hearted.
Happy New Year everyone. Cheers to Vulnerability 2015. (which is part of courage and worthiness, leading to happiness and a whole hearted life... yadda, yadda - follow the links and do the homework. You'll be glad you did)