Remember yin and yang? Often it is amongst the most powerful that we can find the most vulnerable. When you have it all, you have more to lose, right? But can the same thing be said for vulnerability? Is it possible that being in a state of vulnerability can actually be empowering?
There’s an amazing Steve Jobs quote that says: “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Contrary to common belief, vulnerability can actually be a good thing in your life.
Here are three theories as to how vulnerability can be empowering.
Embracing vulnerability can create a space for you to be who you are.
When you are vulnerable you are put out into the open for all to see. Like being among the wild, this opens you up to attack for being you but also puts you in a place of beauty and truth. Most of us will go through life running from vulnerability, but we are only lying to ourselves thinking that it does exist amongst us. When you become accepting of your vulnerability, it opens you up to the amazing things in life, not just the awful things. Either way the vulnerability is there, like the earlier quote from Steve Jobs eludes to. This is a perfect lead into our next category.
When you open yourself up to the world you open yourself up to good experiences as well as allowing yourself to be vulnerable to the bad ones.
Consider entering into a relationship, perhaps one of the most vulnerable places you can be. Sure, you might get hurt, but you might also find a lifetime of love and happiness with that person. There’s power in vulnerability too. Likewise can be said of pursuing a dream or career or new venture of any kind really. You have to take the risk in order to obtain the prize.
To achieve real success and chase our dreams, being vulnerable and taking risks is necessary.
In other words, to achieve the power one must first try for power knowing that loss is a real possibility. When coupled with persistence, vulnerability can be an unstoppable power when rendered correctly. Vulnerability is your greatest superpower when you are following your dreams.
When considering the topic of vulnerability, consider how resilient the human spirit is. How much grief and hardship one can endure? We are not as fragile as we are made out to be. Don’t you agree? We are made to be strong. If so, maybe it’s time to take control of your own vulnerability and use it to make big changes in your life.
“In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.”
— Vincent Van Gogh
Related Articles: How Forgiveness Can Change Your Life and Make You a Stronger Person
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