My husband sent me this TED talk by Brene Brown, and I loved it. Brene is a human behavior researcher. Her research led her to study the topics of connection and shame which eventually led her to the study of vulnerability. What she found was that vulnerability is the gatekeeper for either shame, fear and disconnectedness, or it can be the fertile ground for joy, happiness and love. 

Vulnerability is a human trait that we all feel. Being vulnerable means allowing your true self to be exposed and it requires authenticity. This can feel very scary. Normally the feeling of shame follows when we feel exposed, imperfections and all. I know I have felt this way and it is in these moments that I have wanted to go run and hide, even if not literally. We run and hide by putting emotional walls up to try to protect ourselves or we may lash out in judgement, directed towards ourselves or towards others. Will I be loved, if you really see me? This is a question that many of us ask ourselves deep within our hearts. The real question should take out the “you” and it should be, “Will I love myself, even when I see all parts of me?”

With everything in life that the Divine has created, an opportunity is created to feel freedom, joy and a true connection to your spirit when we feel vulnerable. This type of vulnerability only naturally leads to deep connections with other people. When you are able to have the courage to show your whole self to the world, imperfections and all, you no longer have to hide, to build walls, to skirt intimacy, and you no longer have to avoid taking the risks needed to live the life your spirit longs to live. 

My definition of vulnerability means being open. When we are open, we open ourselves up to all aspects of life and the emotions that go with every experience. If you close your heart to pain and sorrow, joy gets left out as well. Vulnerability involves a level of acceptance, for yourself and for others. It involves having compassion for yourself as you make your way through life, especially when you fall down, and it involves celebrating when you have had the courage to get back up. It involves taking risks so that you experience intimacy with others and so you especially feel intimacy with yourself. Vulnerability is the Divine.

Namaste

I love being alone. Time alone allows me to hear my thoughts and it allows me to get to know myself at a much deeper level. I think the state of aloneness is necessary in order to feel balanced in life. I use to listen to music for hours, when my life allowed such a luxury. Now I appreciate even fifteen minutes in silence, so I can feel connected to my spirit.   

I love this video on “How to be alone”. I hope you enjoy it too.

Namaste

Intuitively we all know that we are connected at a deep level. This dog knew this and instinctively put another dog’s life before his own. 

Namaste

If a father loves his son this much, imagine the love the Divine has for us. I hope that you find this video just as inspiring as I do.

Namaste