Being Vulnerable

“When you love someone, truly love them, you lay your heart open to them. 

You give them a part of yourself that you give to no one else, 

and you let them inside a part of you that only they can hurt-

you literally hand them the razor with a map of where to cut deepest 

and most painfully on your heart and soul. And when they do strike,

 it’s crippling-like having your heart carved out.” 

~Sherrilyn Kenyon

“What happens when people open their hearts?"...

"They get better.” 

~Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood

Opening yourself to someone else makes you feel vulnerable.

Letting yourself be vulnerable to someone 

else can hurt.  But you can't truly love 

someone if you don't.

I'd rather take a chance on being open, 

and being hurt,

than closing myself off 

and not loving at all. 

I think the word 'vulnerable' has gotten a bad rep, as if its a sign of weakness.  When in fact its more about showing the most private pieces of yourself, and that doesn't make you weak.   It's about harnessing the necessary strength to be open and authentic. 

I've recently made some discoveries about myself.  With most people, I smile and say those little things that everyone else says, what I call breezy small talk.  Its a very rare moment for me when I go beyond that, open myself up and say whatever.  I know that its a self protection mechanism.  And I know I have to let go of it, to be willing to open myself up a little more.  Every day I try a little more, smile at strangers - not the I'm at work, how can I help you smile - the genuine one that says "Hi, I'm worth getting to know."

A little progress.  Every Day.