Vulerability is___________?

[CherryBomb]

What is vulnerability to you?

In today's world, strength is something that many of us admire. But what is strength? I'm sure many of us on here don't see it as some brute force. I see strength as openness, acceptance, to look at adversity in the eye and carry on in a true and real manner. I think it's the ability to be authentic, the ability to really be ourselves, that is, the ability to let ourselves be vulnerable. There are many myths about vulnerability like, it's a sign of weakness, some people don't experience it, and that it means spilling all your secrets. But these are false. Brené Brown did some very interesting research, and found that people who allow themselves to vulnerable actually experience whole-hearted lives and a greater sense of well-being. You can find about more about the 'power of vulnerability' the video that I posted below. 

I'm interested in knowing about some of the instances you have felt vulnerable.  Thinking about any experiences you've had, can you have a go at finishing this line, 'Vulnerability is ______

@Loopy @peace @kato @Alessandra1992 @Troubled_One @kristin @Former-Member @sara and please tag anyone else that comes to mind.

Here's my answer

Vulnerability is talking to a room full (or an online community ) for the first time

[sara]

Vulnerability is finally admitting to yourself that you are a victim not the enabler of abuse.

[CherryBomb]

@sara that is a big admission that takes a lot strength. Thanks for sharing your experience of vulnerability.

[kristin]

Hear hear @sara ! Well said.

Vulnerability is looking at your mistakes in order to learn from them, not beat yourself up with them. It is being willing to hear when you have hurt someone and genuinely express your sorrow at the hurt - even if you intended to help.

What do you think @Rick @SCORPION @PeppiPatty @shanc @Ellie ?

[kato]

This is a good question @CherryBomb 

I know there is no right or wrong answer as it is each inderviduals thoughts or ideas relating to vulnerability. I am really struggling to come up with a response for this question, which i think is what i find vulnerable.

Vulnerability for me is: knowing i don't have the answers

[SCORPION]

Hi vulnerability is having pain metal plates pstd depression now as of today my wife had a breakdown and has severe depression due what I have put her through over the last 3 years. 

I now need to be her support and can't even support myself fully. PS she is also epileptic. 

Gee our lives do get so f...ked up. She goes to see a phyc in a week. I know I'm to blame but I don't know where to turn now.

Scorpin

[Alessandra1992]

Vulnerability is letting ourselves trust others to help us through our most challenging times...

[Troubled_One]

Being vulnerable is being open and honest but at the same time positive. @kristin 

[CherryBomb]

Hi @SCORPION 

I think vulnerability is loving yourself and being kind to yourself, as though you are your best friend.

You say that you have put your wife through a lot, which has led to her breakdown. No one is to blame here - I'm not sure blame really helps in any situation.

While I understand that your illness may have contributed to your wife's stress (it would for any loving partner),  you are not the cause of her breakdown. There are many other factors at play here. Such as the type of support systems that you both have, individually and as a couple, each person's capacity to cope with stress, level of resilence (this can wear away for anyone), a person's overall wellness and health, and what other stressors that exist... the list can go on.

Remember, MI is just like any other physical illness. You can't be to blame if someone else gets cancer, or a flu. Sure, sometimes people can unitentionally spread a virus, but there's still a number of factors that leads to  someone becoming unwell (e.g., a person health, genetic make-up, diet, age etc). 

While I think it's wonderful that people their part in a situation, there is line that must be drawn in knowing what is yours and what is someone else's. No one can really be 100% responsible for someone else's health (apart from parents and kids) - this is because it's completely out of our control.  We cannot control  all the life stressors that come their way. We can't control what that person does to manage or not manage their wellness. You can only control what you bring to that situation - and what your bring is only part of the overall picture. 

Scorpian, please be kind to yourself. As clichè as it sounds loving and caring for others, starts with you. 

Take care

CB

[peace]

VUNERABLITLITY IS BEING UNPROTECTED