I’ve been prompted, recently to really look at vulnerability.  What it is, how it serves us, and how sometimes, it can be truly terrifying.

I wear my heart on my sleeve, I don’t have much of a verbal filter – if I’m thinking it I’m saying it and lately, well… I’ve been involved with some incredible events, fundraisers and, most of all, incredible people.   Somewhere along the course of events, my heart burst wide open and I’m doing all sorts of things that quite frankly, put me in a position to be hurt, rejected, made fun of, myriad things that lay me out, leave me super exposed, and super vulnerable.

In October, I was lucky enough to attend our local Pridefest, here in Ocala, FL.  We had a great turn out and it was so wonderful to see people of all socio/economic backgrounds, coming out to support this event.  As I looked around at all the beautiful people, all the diversity, all the joy in expressing who they are, who they really are- I was very moved.  I wasn’t the only one.  Everyone I spoke to was moved – and I can’t tell you how many people I saw, standing with their hand over their heart, just observing the beautiful day.  The young people, free to express themselves, the older people, so moved by their openness, perhaps thinking about what a different world we’re creating.  How in the course of one or two generations, there are so many advances, so much evolution – we still have a very long road ahead of us, but we are making strides. Not only was I struck by the fierce pride of these beautiful people, I was floored by the willingness to be vulnerable, to be really seen for who you are.  And that too, is quite beautiful.

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about “outing” yourself; for whomever you may be and I have seen, how in living authentically and truly owning who you are, we are constantly outing ourselves.  In the space where you stand, shed your inhibition,and allow yourself to be extremely vulnerable in saying “I Am _________”.   The fact is, to be truly authentic and visible, we need to out ourselves over and over again.  We change, we grow, and again we have something to reveal about ourselves.  In so doing, there is no way around it; you become vulnerable.

So, how do we balance that?  How do we protect ourselves?  I don’t think we really can.  The only thing we can do is be our authentic selves, express what is in our heart – and maybe not worry so much about what you get in return?  It truly is in the giving, that we receive. If we can detach from that outcome, and just let the Universe play itself out, then in the end, it’s all alright. If it’s not alright, then it is not the end.  We may wind up in a completely different place then we expected, we may have our feelings hurt, or we may just have the experience of a lifetime. However it works out, I know that I’d rather have the possibility of a great adventure, then be safe and protected.  How about you?