The most human thing we have to do in life is to learn to speak our honest convictions and feelings and live with the consequences. This is the first requirement of love, and it makes us vulnerable to other people who may ridicule us, but our vulnerability is the only thing we can give to other people. – Leo F. Buscaglia
The dominoes of life often line up perfectly to teach us the lessons of the heart that we most need, and yesterday they most definitely lined up for me with purpose. After having received an uplifting email from a friend with whom I have lost contact, and hearing a radio host casually mention the value of vulnerability, my message became pretty clear to me: let go.
I think that Buscaglia’s picture of vulnerability is beautiful and on point. Vulnerability is the only thing we can really give to other people, and it is often the first thing we take from someone the moment we get hurt. The thing is that when we take back the vulnerability that we have already given out, we end up being more stingy on giving it out to others in our lives that do deserve it. Moreover, we set ourselves up to be in a constant state of self-protection, living our lives as if we were in a boxing match, with our hands frozen up at face level for protection. The funny thing is that if you’re going to walk around and try to protect yourself all the time, you’re never going to accomplish anything.
Life is too full of opportunity to pass it up because you’re too busy protecting your face and your heart. Be generous. Open yourself to others and forgive those who have hurt you, be it knowingly or unknowingly. Let go. The world needs your honest vulnerability, or your most true self, so don’t be stingy. Live with your arms down and your heart open.