Welcome back, everyone. This week, I will discuss the idea of fostering deeper bonds through the power of vulnerability. I have been working on this topic for some time, and this week, I would like to break from my usual format and be real with you all. If that sounds good to you, then hang with me as I take this next step toward becoming positively improved.
As most of you who have been following my newsletter for any length know, I have been on this journey toward healing the old and improving myself to create the new and improved me for a long time. One of the steps I have been working on for over a year now is learning how to be open and vulnerable when Interacting with others.
When I started this practice, I felt peculiar and awkward. It is essential to understand that until now, I was the girl in the back of the room who said nothing with a blank expression and was ignored for the most part. So, when I started expressing myself openly, it was weird, not just for me but also for those to whom I would express myself.
I noticed that, at first, people would be taken aback by this level of openness; it was almost like they didn’t know how to react. I found it interesting at first until I acknowledged that most people are too afraid of one thing or another to express their true thoughts or feelings to just anyone, let alone the people closest to them. I also noticed that people are usually more afraid to express themselves to the people closest to them than they would be to express themselves to strangers.
Anyway, back to what I was saying. It took a month or two for me to be open and honest with just about every person I interacted with before my openness and vulnerability freaked them out.
Over the last year, I have watched old relationships reach new levels of connection and found new relationships around just about every corner. My reputation is suitable with most people that I interact with and with those to whom I do not speak, both personally and professionally, despite the fact that I am open and vulnerable.
Now, before I go any further when I say being open and vulnerable, I don’t mean pouring your heart out to anyone or everyone. I’m talking about expressing your simple truth or, rather, your true feelings and thoughts.
Of course, if your thoughts are harsh or potentially hurtful, you should sugarcoat them, but sometimes, even harsh words can be sincerely appreciated by the receiver if they serve their highest good.
However, the point is always to express your truth in the most respectful way possible. When you can do this, you will, as I did, see a shift in the dynamic of your relationships. You will see how people feel more and more at ease around you. With this ease, people will be more inclined to open up and be more honest and vulnerable with you. You will build more profound relationships with each person who is willing to express themselves openly with you.
The most profound part of this part of my journey is that I have noticed how we all just want to be seen, loved, and supported for who and how we are under all the facades and illusions we protect ourselves with.
It is incredible how common we all become when we take the walls down and share who we are. This journey has been transforming and life-altering for me, and now that I have become so skilled at expressing my truth, I know I will never go back to being the person in the back of the room who says nothing, nor will I likely ever be ignored when I shine the light of my authenticity.
It is okay if you find sharing your genuine thoughts and feelings at first weird. This is normal, and it may take a while before things feel better. You will likely make quite a few mistakes before sharing the messages you genuinely want to share with others.
However, you should stay with it no matter how many or how bad the mistakes may be. It will pay off if you stick with it, and trust me, in time, you will see that not only will the relationships you already have get more robust, but you will also attract new relationships, as I said before. These new connections will allow you to grow more as an individual, allowing for more transformation of your overall way of life.
Are you starting to understand just how powerful vulnerability can be? It truely has the power to attract as well as repel. It has the power to transform and strengthen all your connections and relationships. I invite you to start this journey with someone you feel safe with but to expand over time with each person you interact with.
As I close this newsletter, I hope you find this helpful information. If you know someone who could use this information to improve their lives, please share it with them. If you have thoughts or feelings that you would like to share, please share them in the comment section below.
Thank you for sticking with me this week and every week as I take each step toward becoming positively improved. Please return next week for the next step. Namaste.
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