Daily Question, May 6 How has being vulnerable shifted a difficult situation? 24 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. GREG MANNING7 years agoGREG MANNINGVulnerability & openess create a feeling of oneness that bring us all one step closer. It is the stair to deeper & more trusting relationships. Where we often struggle in front of our peers and loved ones is the feeling of being different; being weak; being frail. I have found the strongest power to overcome this hesitation to vulnerability is to follow it with a proactive response. When holding empathy with others; share in your difficulties and then offer a positive respon... Vulnerability & openess create a feeling of oneness that bring us all one step closer. It is the stair to deeper & more trusting relationships. Where we often struggle in front of our peers and loved ones is the feeling of being different; being weak; being frail. I have found the strongest power to overcome this hesitation to vulnerability is to follow it with a proactive response. When holding empathy with others; share in your difficulties and then offer a positive response to how you can both move in a empowering direction. Read More3 Reply Kerri L Haworth7 years agoKerri L HaworthFor me, being vulnerable means being open to whatever arises without judgement. It allows those with whom I am connected to also be vulnerable. It opens the heart more fully. I am grateful for vulnerability. 3 Reply Ben7 years agoBenThis is a small example, but stating my frustration (in a gentle way, without any blame, owning it as my feeling, and making a request around something) to my housemate the other day created a real shift for us. I basically was letting him know: how you communicate with me matters to me, it moves my feelings and I want you to know what respect in this particular area looks like to me, because our relationship is important. I think it was vulnerable because I was afraid to admit I was frustr... This is a small example, but stating my frustration (in a gentle way, without any blame, owning it as my feeling, and making a request around something) to my housemate the other day created a real shift for us. I basically was letting him know: how you communicate with me matters to me, it moves my feelings and I want you to know what respect in this particular area looks like to me, because our relationship is important. I think it was vulnerable because I was afraid to admit I was frustrated – afraid that this would result in rejection or being blamed or humiliated. Yet in fact it resulted in him apologizing, validating my perspective, and voicing his desire for me to be respected in the way I was asking. He also expressed gratitude for being able to learn about himself this way, his effect on others at times. The end result was more trust and closeness between us, rather than the resentment I was struggling to let go of on my own. I think moments of such communication are so beautiful, and can bring people together, even if they include a little conflict. Read More7 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaWow, lucky you, Ben! 0 Reply Aine7 years agoAinePerfect example! 0 Reply Shellb7 years agoShellbTimely question indeed! Following a recent revelation of sickness and addiction with a loved one, the seeds of self doubt appeared as I questioned my blindness to the situation. In the midst of processing through this heartbreaking challenge I have been participating in a small group class on examining shame and vulnerability and how it relates to compassion and empathy. I have learned how easily it is for me to armour up when feeling a sense of "I'm not enough", and I'm slowly beginning to bri... Timely question indeed! Following a recent revelation of sickness and addiction with a loved one, the seeds of self doubt appeared as I questioned my blindness to the situation. In the midst of processing through this heartbreaking challenge I have been participating in a small group class on examining shame and vulnerability and how it relates to compassion and empathy. I have learned how easily it is for me to armour up when feeling a sense of “I’m not enough”, and I’m slowly beginning to bring moment awareness to this in my daily living. This is helping me practice self compassion, along with developing tools for social experiences to use when I feel vulnerable as well as interacting with others with an attitude of empathy and compassion. The shame component of vulnerability is an area that typically our human nature attempts to avoid. Opening personally to beginning to understand the role of shame in my life has offered new light to my being. I have found compassionate courage to face the challenges of this turning point in my life. All that said examining our vulnerabilities is not an easy task. I believe group study and practice is essential to discovering these self truths and the freedom that finds presence within when we do. Thank you for this question! Read More3 Reply Ben7 years agoBenThank you for this honest and deep sharing! I relate to the power of being able to open up about shame, especially in a group. 1 Reply Deb7 years agoDebBeing vulnerable, though uncomfortable at times, does give us a taste of what everyone feels at one time or another. Being vulnerable interconnects us to others. 2 Reply Karen7 years agoKarenFor me a key in being vulnerable is knowing when to show that vulnerability. There are times when it would be downright dangerous given the situation, however to answer the question about how an experience I’ve had was shifted by vulnerability I’d have to say when I did this recently with a colleague and she immediately softened, too. I let down defenses and fears, trying to show that I am something I am not, that "I can take it," and expressed my honest feeling of sadness in the disconnec... For me a key in being vulnerable is knowing when to show that vulnerability. There are times when it would be downright dangerous given the situation, however to answer the question about how an experience I’ve had was shifted by vulnerability I’d have to say when I did this recently with a colleague and she immediately softened, too. I let down defenses and fears, trying to show that I am something I am not, that “I can take it,” and expressed my honest feeling of sadness in the disconnect I felt in our relationship. It did not completely resolve however I felt I’d given something of myself which was more genuine than I had before. I felt it helped to shift away from the potential of resentment and bad feeling between us. Read More3 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelthe dictionary definition of vulnerable is extremely negative. I’ve always defined vulnerable as being open/willing to feel…not weak, powerless, defenseless. in my work/vocation there have been situations when tears come to my eyes as they tell me their story/what they have been or are going through. it creates a connection and a level of trust. I can take that connection n begin to build strategies towards healing and happiness. 5 Reply KC7 years agoKCAs I learn to accept my own vulnerability I become more human and kind. I learn to reach out in prayer and gratitude, whether inside or out, to connect with a wider source. With extended family this weekend and an aging father, it is a lovely invitation to find a softer place and way to connect. Will appreciate this question and invitation and practice returning to acceptance of what is - behind the times of tension, words and gestures of strength. Thank you for this timely question... As I learn to accept my own vulnerability I become more human and kind. I learn to reach out in prayer and gratitude, whether inside or out, to connect with a wider source. With extended family this weekend and an aging father, it is a lovely invitation to find a softer place and way to connect. Will appreciate this question and invitation and practice returning to acceptance of what is – behind the times of tension, words and gestures of strength. Thank you for this timely question! Read More7 Reply Pilgrim7 years agoPilgrimEach of us is vulnerable, porous - emotionally, physically, etc. None of us wants to feel or show that vulnerability in a dangerous or threatening situation, even though it is a reality. Yet our own vulnerability also connects us to others who are vulnerable. It is part of our shared humanity. When I gathered with others as the leader in teaching or spiritual gatherings, there were ways in which my own willingness to share my vulnerability (in appropriate and particular ways) was often a help to... Each of us is vulnerable, porous – emotionally, physically, etc. None of us wants to feel or show that vulnerability in a dangerous or threatening situation, even though it is a reality. Yet our own vulnerability also connects us to others who are vulnerable. It is part of our shared humanity. When I gathered with others as the leader in teaching or spiritual gatherings, there were ways in which my own willingness to share my vulnerability (in appropriate and particular ways) was often a help to others in knowing they were not alone, or in their trusting the environment as safe if they cared to share verbally. I think our own vulnerability also helps us respond to others on so many levels. We can relate at some level to hunger, or loneliness, or even joy, and respond appropriately, as our hearts are moved to share something of ourselves. We stand with others because we are all human together. Read More8 Reply Aine7 years agoAineBeautifully put, Pilgrim. 0 Reply Ben7 years agoBenReally appreciate how you put all this, and the last line “We stand with others because we are all human together.” Yes! 0 Reply Deb7 years agoDebWell stated, Pilgrim!! 0 Reply Pilgrim7 years agoPilgrimAlso, Brene Brown has done a lot of work and speaking/writing on vulnerability, including a TED talk. This can be found on her website which is her name with a .com. 1 Reply Aine7 years agoAineI love her work! I am currently reading “Rising Strong.” My husband and I both enjoyed her CD “Men, Women, and Worthiness.” Awesome stuff! 0 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteBeing vulnerable has made me become radically responsible for truth in life. 3 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelVulnerability is due to a lack on control; as we age we realize how little control we have had. “Life is what happens when we are busy making other plans,” as John Lennon sang to his son. 4 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinAnytime and for any reason when we suddenly find ourselves at risk for immediate harm or injury, physically or mentally, everything we do should be shifting, and quickly, in order to protect our body, mind and heart. Anything less is to invite harm to self. – Kevin 2 Reply Malag7 years agoMalagIs it me or are these questions getting very difficult? Am struggling to recall an instance to support this question. I don’t “do” vulnerable well I have to admit. I find it difficult to untangle it from weakness. I’ll be very interested to hear other perspectives. As with Christina I don’t like it. 3 Reply Aine7 years agoAineVulnerability probably needs to be redefined. It is a hot button for many people since it is so often portrayed as weakness. To me, it is simply being willing to be seen as we are rather than as we wish to appear, and it is something done with discretion. 1 Reply Malag7 years agoMalagThanks Aine. I’m obviously getting tripped up on semantics. 0 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaOne day I felt extremely vulnerable. I didn’t like it. I felt too exposed. I know, though, that when I talk honestly about my feelings or reaction to a situation, it elicits supportive attention from others. 3 Reply My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. 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