courage doesn't always roar

A friend and I were talking about how oftentimes, unless you suck it up, get over it, or what have you, you are seen as weak.

I actually think it takes a great deal of courage to express your vulnerability.

We all have a strong, instinctual need for connection and love. When we admit that we are vulnerable, that we are scared or hurt or lonely, that we need something (or someone), we are taking a piece of our self that we tend to keep hidden and putting it out there in the open for people to see. In doing so, we are risking that - at best - others will not understand and - at worst - they will turn away from us or use that vulnerability to hurt us. It takes strength and courage to express our vulnerability anyway.

So when you do, give yourself credit. You deserve it.

Comments

[Heidi Mae]

It seems that at some point during growing up, most of us learn to hide part of our self, maybe most of our self, for perceived protection. And, then, through personal growth, we learn that vulnerability is a worthwhile risk... through open-ness and sharing, we feel connected, loved.

[Julie M.]

I love the title- "courage doesn't always roar"... it captured the whole essence of the post beautifully. Wonderful post and I enjoyed Heidi's comment as well. :)

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

@heidi: thank you for sharing that! That is so true. And I think sometimes it feels like we're the only ones who do that, but in reality, we all do to some extent. Actually, you know what occurred to me the other day and I found it fascinating .. is that it seems like all our personal growth gets us back to the state of openness and connectedness and love .. that we were in when we were small children. (It seems like it would have been much easier if we could've just stayed there. :)

@julie: it's the title of a Mary Anne Radmacher book. I didn't know that when I wrote it - I thought it sounded like something I might have read but didn't know where. And I do love her words.