SOME OF MY STORY & WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM IT!!
Vulnerability
🤍 My Story:
🤍 How I Felt:
🤍 My Takeaways:
When I was younger I would never show vulnerability. For some reason I believed it was a weakness. I wanted people to think that I wasn't afraid of anything. I wanted people to think I was perfect & everything in my life was either just fine or if not, it was someone else's fault. It's exhausting living life as if it's a Popularity contest. It's exhausting caring about what others think of me. The things I used to think were important, a big home, a perfect relationship, a great career, always looking "put together" to name a few are nothing close to what I think is important today!! I believe with age comes wisdom. As I'm getting older Im finding out some of the things that make me happy. Some of them are.....I no longer care what others think about me, my word, my character, the way I treat others, my peace of mind, the truth (even though it can sometimes be painful) & having a few LOYAL friends are what's important to me. Being Kind to others became extremely important to me about 12 years ago, when I met an AMAZING woman who taught me about the importance of it. She taught me by her actions, not by her words. I now know what Mr. Rogers meant when he used to say "always look for the helpers." People & situations that end up helping me most times come 1) when I'm not looking, 2) from someone I don't know or least expect it from 3) in ways I cannot see how it DID help me & why at the time, but always when I look back weeks, months or years later. I used to want others to believe I was perfect. Now I just want to be ME. At 50+ years old I'm now finding out WHO I AM & no longer care who YOU THINK I am or who I think I should be. The things I care about now are so much different than what I used to care about. I now care about peace of mind, my character & my word. The things that I want to experience such as traveling, sky diving, going on a Safari, seeing the Northern lights & having a few loyal caring friends. I believe those of us with the biggest hearts are the ones who've been thru hell, who have lived thru painful situations, who have never felt good enough, who have been running from something, usually myself for most of my life, why I never loved myself or felt that I could be loveable. Now I try to treat others as I want to be treated. I don't like everyone, but I don't need to let them know why. My way is not always the right way. If I don't like everyone, why should I believe or care if everyone doesn't like me? However I can still be civil. If I can't help someone, I definitely try not to hurt them. It doesn't take much to be kind to others. Until I met an AMAZING woman who is now my AMAZING FRIEND, I had no idea that when I am kind to others it usually helps ME more than it helps THEM!! We never know what someone else may be going thru or dealing with. A smile & holding the door for a stranger might not seem like a lot, but we NEVER KNOW how it could possibly affect or change their day. If nothing else, it can't make things worse. We never know who may be watching us? I no longer care about being remembered for a Big House, looking beautiful and well dressed on the outside, how much $$$ I have, or hoping everyone thinks my life is perfect. Material things don't matter to me nearly as much as they used to. The times in my life that I've HAD MORE "THINGS", I've been the most unhappy. THINGS don't make me happy....good people, helping others & Good health do! At the end of my life I Don't need to be remembered for what I HAD, how I looked or where I lived! I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR HOW I TREATED OTHERS & FOR THE WAY I LIVED!!! In order to be good to others, I need to learn how to be good to me! THAT has been a process. But I don't need to do it perfectly OR all at once!! I do believe it definitely starts with being true to myself! If I'm hurt by someone, it's ok to calmly & respectfully let them know. If I feel I'm being disrespected, rather than tolerate it or make an excuse for their behavior, I can let them know that without talking to them in the same manner. This is all sticking up for what I believe I deserve but it's also hugely being vulnerable or showing that I am afraid of things
It shows others that I'm not as tough as I wanted them to believe. We ALL HAVE VULNERABILITIES IN OUR LIVES!! NOW I KNOW THAT SHOWING THEM TO OTHERS IS NOT A WEAKNESS AT ALL. ITS A STRENGTH!!!!
Life's scars and vulnerabilities often become our greatest sources of strength, even if it takes years to realize it. The scars we carry are not signs of weakness but symbols of battles fought and lessons learned. They remind us that pain has ended and healing has begun, marking our journey towards resilience and self-discovery. Many people share the fear of showing vulnerability because of societal pressures to appear flawless. Yet vulnerability fosters deep human connection and personal growth—it is through embracing our imperfections that we find true freedom and acceptance. The process of opening up can lead to stronger relationships, as others feel invited to share their own stories and struggles. Kindness, as highlighted in the story, holds transformative power not just for others but for ourselves. Small acts like a genuine smile or holding a door may seem minor, but they ripple out in ways unseen, often offering hope or comfort to someone in need. It's important to remember that everyone's fighting battles invisible to the eye. Choosing kindness sets a positive example and cultivates inner peace. Moreover, true happiness often comes from non-material sources: meaningful connections, good health, and experiences that enrich the soul. Shifting focus from external validation to internal values liberates us from the exhausting quest for perfection and societal approval. It encourages living authentically and appreciating life’s simpler joys. Lastly, practicing self-compassion and standing up for personal boundaries are crucial steps in honoring oneself. Being vulnerable enough to express hurt or assert respect is an act of courage and self-worth, not fragility. For anyone navigating life's challenges or questioning their own worth, remember: vulnerability is a sign of bravery. Your story matters, your scars are a testament to your strength, and your kindness has the power to change the world in unseen, meaningful ways.