The Power of Vulnerability

[Antalya1]

As someone who has always struggled with the idea of being perceived as vulnerable i.e. if I show what I really feel/think then I'll be hurt, (and there has been a couple of self fulfilling prophecies) The idea that it's actually quite ok to show them is a bit of a revelation.

If you have 20 minutes to spare, please watch this, it's well worth your time

www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

This is the write-up from the site....

How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough ? that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?

Thanks for posting that. Well worth a watch.

JB....I thought so, I think that's just the two of us then that have watched it on here! It sounds as sounds as though it's going to be really heavy going when in fact it's quite light, but does make you think

I was going to post this having seen it last week - I think it's brilliant!

This is quite timely for me. H and I have separated and I want him back. However, I'm scared of showing my feelings as I don't want to look weak. I know this sounds silly when you're talking about a MARRIAGE! I'll definitely watch this. Thanks.

Loved it. I post on the Brave Babes thread and it certainly rang bells for me about some of the reason I have used alcohol to mask my feelings. Thanks for posting.

Great! I so have to be kinder on myself. Another vote of thanks for posting.

What a lovely gift, thank you, I have taken the time to look and it was helpfull.

I watched this last week (am signed up to TED on Facebook) and thought it was a very interesting talk. It's given me food for thought and I realised that, after a particularly crappy relationship that I've really only just recovered from after quite some time, I have been very 'closed' to emotion. This extends to even listening to music because it can be so emotive.

However, I thought the point about not being able to experience joy if we are too closed off was a very good one and something to bear in mind for the future.

I love TED!

JessinAvalon the not being being able to experience joy really did strike a cord with me too, same as you, the after-effects of a rubbish relationship. I know that I'm closed off, it's just my way of dealing with everything, if I keep the barriers up then won't make myself vulnerable...but totally the wrong way if I want to get back into life again. I think that I need to watch this a good few more times.

Just in case anyone feel like any more reading!, this is Brene Browns website, some really good stuff on here..

www.brenebrown.com

Tch. It's amusing but mildly worrying wank. The basic message is 'Stop thinking so hard, emotion is more important than logic, you have to understand and accept this otherwise you're not going to give me your money.

An awful lot of 'self-help' is actually bad for you, by the way. Practical strategies for coping with debt/losing a limb/learning how to fix your own central heating are one thing, all this bollocks about Empowering YOurself to Earn a Million or Be A Winner is just bollocks, the only people earning millions are the people peddling the crap.

Too many people over-value emotion: emotion is all very well but you need to be able to control your emotions rather than randomly inflicting them on other people.
ANd finally, always run a million fucking miles from anyone who tries to encourage you to 'show your vulnerability'. The only people who say that are people who want to rip you off in some way.

I agree a lot of the self help stuff that I've heard is rubbish, it's something that I've never bought into, I've never bought a book on it and doubt that I ever would, however there a lot of people out there that are searching for answers and some of the more reputable ones may help...just a case of sorting through the wheat from the chaff.

This lady, I think is pretty ok, she doesn't have a magic wand, but what she does do, at least for me, is to make a pretty valid point about not closing yourself off.

It's not about being over-emotional, just being able to show them and through that the ability to connect and communicate with others.

SGB, I see what you mean about self help books. I had a quick read of this ladies book on Amazon, she does not class it as a slef help book. The lady is not asking you for anything, or advising you to earn a million, cope with debt etc.

She is sharing her knowledge and experiences.

She's moderately witty, but she's still a smug wanker flogging books.

We've all got to earn a shekel!

'... she's still a smug wanker flogging books.'

I heart SGB.