Has the fear of being vulnerable stopped you from being kind? Vulnerability is interesting subject. As stated in the dictionary, “Vulnerable is best used for a person whose feelings are so delicate that they can’t withstand any criticism or pressure.” We all have different degrees of vulnerability acceptance in our life. I know people that are very secretive, they tell people close to them not to tell others about their plans. If they are on Facebook, it is difficult for them even to hit “LIKE,” for they are very private.
Being on this journey, I had come face to face with being more vulnerable. It got me thinking how we live in our everyday life patterns. For us move to a kinder life, we need to put ourselves out there more, to let our light shine and not hide it under a bushel — to be more vulnerable. When you live in your own truth, it gets less important what others think.
I’m going to share an example of how my own vulnerability almost stopped me from being kind. I was at Chicago’s O’Hare airport when a young man approached me. He was frantic about getting to Milwaukee to see his mom via the bus shuttle, as he did not have enough money to buy the ticket. My first instinct was to think this was some type of scam, I wasn’t going to be taken advantage of. I was thinking this was probably a lie. I didn’t want to be vulnerable; I was judging him for what he might be really doing with the money. However, I looked in his eyes and saw the eyes of my son. I remember the time my son was robbed and needed help from strangers. In that moment, I knew I had to help him. I knew how much it would mean to his mom to see her son that night. I went from being horrified of being taken advantage, to feeling blessed that I was able to help. This is what I was thinking as I saw him run to get the bus.
Sometimes, we prevent ourselves from being kind because we are too afraid to be vulnerable; too quick to judge the situation; and too busy finding ways to justify not doing the kind act. However, when we see the humanity in each other, kindness becomes easy. Kindness may be the key to opening your heart to others even more.
Kindness Discussion
Was there a time when you felt vulnerable but decided to be kind anyway? What was it that caused you to make that decision?
Kindness Action
What can you do today that will take you out of your everyday life patterns to create a new kindness pattern?
Additional Resource
Brene Brown’s TED Talk:, “The Power of Vulnerability” is thought-provoking.