Fully Embrace Vulnerability

I wrote down a few notes about the key points I wanted to take away from this video about vulnerability. I thought I'd share them here so I won't forget.

We all have a need for connection and belonging. In order for connection to happen, we have to be open and be seen. We have to be vulnerable and have a strong sense of love and belonging... of worthiness. We must be willing to have the courage and the willingness to say, "I love you" first.

So many of us are addicted to spending, food, drugs and alcohol. You cannot selectively numb emotions (either good or bad). When we numb hard feelings, we also numb joy, gratitude and happiness. We are miserable, looking for purpose and meaning and then we feel vulnerable and have a piece of banana nut bread and a beer. We get into a cycle.

We make everything uncertain, certain. Religion has gone from a belief in faith and mystery to certainty; I'm right; you're wrong; shut up; that's it.

We also pass on our perfectionism to our kids. We want them to be perfect, but they are wired for struggle. Our job as parents should be to say to our kids, "You are imperfect and you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.

Be authentic and real. Let ourselves be seen and love with our whole hearts, even though there's no guarantee. Practice gratitude and joy. Be grateful and believe that...

We. Are. Enough.