Why Being Vulnerable Doesn’t Frighten Me

People say it to me all the time and it is true: You are exactly the same in person as you are online, in your books, in your columns, etc. 

It never occurs to me to be otherwise.

Sometimes they tell me I even look like my photos. That makes me laugh. Perhaps I should have photo-shopped my head on Cindy Crawford’s body?

I don’t fear being myself or being vulnerable.

I fear the day when I will feel the need to mask it in order to earn approval among the masses.

Vulnerability isn’t good or bad. It’s not what we call a dark emotion, nor is it always a light, positive experience. Vulnerability is the core of all emotions and feelings. To feel is to be vulnerable. To believe vulnerability is weakness is to believe that feeling is weakness. To foreclose on our emotional life out of a fear that the costs will be too high is to walk away from the very thing that gives purpose and meaning to living.

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Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.

Daring Greatly, Brene Brown