Being Vulnerable Through Courage And Bravery

Has anyone ever hurt you, you know emotionally? Did they bully you, shame you, put you down or call you names? Probably everyone reading this would say “yes.” Even me.

Emotional abuse is really hard to get out of your head. Even if it happened 20 years ago, occasionally the scene will resurface long with its pain and trauma.

First of all, I want to say to you today that I am so sorry anyone ever mistreated you. It was not fair. You didn’t deserve it. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Truly! I’ve been shamed and bullied. I know how much it hurts. You are not alone.

Second, I want to give you a nudge toward moving away from that hurt and that pain. I want to nudge you to be brave and courageous and maybe a little vulnerable in the process.

Let me explain the difference in these three words which will become action words for you in just a moment. Let’s start with being vulnerable. In the dictionary the word vulnerable is defined as “capable of being emotionally wounded.” Though is sounds like something that makes you want to curl up in a ball to protect yourself, you should do quite the opposite. We are all vulnerable, but if we retreat and stay in a place of shame vulnerability wins. But if you face vulnerability with courage you win. We take the hit and move forward through the incredible life we have been given and we open our arms wide to the possibilities that the act of being vulnerable can bring us.

The abuser -the person (or people) who was (were) unkind- doesn’t want to see you thrive despite their actions against you. Moving forward and living a great life will knock them off their feet and diminish the power they have over you.

I love the synonyms for brave; warrior, soldier, fighter. Being brave means that we stand up to the battle in the best way we know how. That doesn’t mean we use deadly force, but it does mean that we stand tall in the face of the abuse and we walk away confidently. Now I’m not talking about pretending that it doesn’t hurt. Instead, I mean this: you, friend, are able to stand up against any storm that comes your way by bravely taking a stand and having a warrior’s mindset.

The definition of courageous is “Not being deterred by danger or pain. To be lionhearted, bold, daring, undaunted and gallant.” Yes, we are hurt when someone bullies us or shames us, but we don’t have to give in to the pain. An attacker’s intent is to bring you down and have power over you. In order to be brave and courageous you must put on your armor. You must acknowledge the challenge you are being faced with and you must not lay down and let it trample you.

It’s not what you are faced with in life that defines you. It’s your reaction to what you are faced with that determines who you are and how you will live your life as you move forward. Vulnerability is acknowledging the pain, not keeping it secret, but instead bravely and courageously looking challenges in the eye and showing them that you refuse to be shamed by them.

I will bring this to a close with a quote by Brene Brown “If we’re going to find our way out of shame and back to each other vulnerability is the path and courage is the light.”

#smallsteps

I’d love, love, love to hear your input in the comments section below.