Tag Archive | vulnerability

Vulnerability

Jan27

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Some people don’t like to share their cancer story
I understand that
It’s a personal matter
And often not easy to talk about
But for me, it has been the cause of
Connecting with old friends
And receiving a lot of support and love
It’s hard to be vulnerable
Less than perfect 
But revealing our vulnerability has many rewards
We get everyone’s love and support
And their prayers for healing
We can connect to others on a deeper level
It’s a win win in my opinion
But it took some years for me to be this open
With my challenges in life
I had to learn to trust
To know that others will only give me their unconditional love
I had to understand the value of community
Of reaching out
And I’m so grateful for all of your love




January 27th, 2023

Shedding the layers

Oct14

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They are slowly shedding the layers

They put on during the spring and summer months

Some have their colorful garb on 

But some branches are naked

Vulnerable

Unable to hide

Unable to pretend

They feel a little shy

On plain view for all to see

And yet, after a while

They start to enjoy their newfound freedom

Freedom from layers of pretense 

They feel lighter, more genuine

Vulnerability and freedom to be oneself

Go hand in hand

 

October 14th, 2019

Good writing

Dec2

Good writing takes you to another world
You no longer hear
What’s going on around you
Or who comes and goes

Good writing can hold your heart
In its hands
Your emotions are held hostage
For a while

Good writing is hard to put down
Just one more line
Just one more line
Your heart cries

Good writing leaves its mark on you
Your world is not the same anymore

Good writing comes from
A place of vulnerability
The writer bears her/his soul

Good writing captivates you
And doesn’t let you go
Perhaps it highjacks your soul

Good writing
I’m in its snare
And will be for evermore

December 1st, 2016

Authenticity

Dec16

“Vulnerability is the birth place of love, creativity
joy, and belonging”

One has to risk rejection to find love
One has to be open to trying something new and untested to be creative
One has to have known sorrow to know joy
One has to share one’s weaknesses to be welcomed into an authentic relationship

It’s easy to show our happy, together, confident, optimistic side
It takes courage to show our pain, sorrow, insecurities, and doubts

It’s easy to play it safe, afraid of making a mistake
It takes courage to take a leap of faith

It’s easy to decide when the outcome is clear
It’s more difficult to accept the uncertainties of life

I used to want a letter from God
telling me which way to go and what option to choose
I know now that growth comes from making the best decision with the information I have
Knowing that it may not lead me to the desired destination right away
But  that eventually I’ll find my way

Life is not a straight line
It’s a jagged line
Or perhaps it’s a meandering river
Going to the right or left sometimes
But all the way adjusting its course to reach the ocean

And the way to accept this perceived imperfection in our path
Is to realize that in any case, we are worthy of love!

Lida Berghuis
December 16th, 2014

*Brene Brown

Perfect façade!

Oct13

 

When I hide my weaknesses
I give the appearance of being strong
But this appearance is false
And that strength is false!

When I share my weaknesses
And they’re there to be seen
Does that make me appear weak?
Or is it not more likely
That others will see themselves in me?
Not perfect and struggling

Is it not likely that my weakness
Will inspire a friend
To lend a hand
To give me a hug
To tell her own story
Of troubles and trials?

Where does this idea of ‘always strong’
‘always together’ come from?
Why do I need to appear together
And never fall apart

It’s my imperfections
That make me real
Perfection is reserved
For angels and saints
Not mere mortals
Like you and I

Afraid to show vulnerability
I used to hide my tears and fears deep inside
Now I know that it’s showing vulnerability
That strengthens friendships
Sharing hard times creates strong bonds
Now I know
Perfection is an illusion
We can’t always smile!

Lida Berghuis
October 13th, 2011

Let yourself be seen!

Jan22

“In order for connection to happen
You have to let yourself be seen
Be really seen”

With your strengths and weaknesses
With your beauty and ugliness
With your courage and your fear
With your smiles and your tears
With your joy and your sorrow
With your highs and your lows
With what you know and do not know
With what you feel and what you don’t

If this connection is to last
All these things will come to fore
Why hide them
Why pretend?

For an enduring connection
You need to be loved
Warts and all
You need to love yourself
Before all

Love yourself
Have compassion for yourself
Be content with where you are
While you forge ahead in life

Lida Berghuis
January 20th, 2011

*Brene Brown in the ‘Power of vulnerability’