Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.
-Brene Brown
In today’s culture, vulnerability is viewed as weakness. In counseling, vulnerability provides a springboard for growth and self-awareness.
Brene Brown has a remarkable TedTalk on the topic. It is twenty minutes well spent: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en
It actually takes incredible strength and assurance in self-worth to offer love with arms wide open, waiting for love to either be returned or rejected. In rejection, strength is found in knowing who you are, what you offer to the world, and not needing others to return your offering to find value in yourself. When love is returned…well…it feels pretty good. However, without risking rejection, you may never find relationship. Vulnerability carves the pathway forward.
Likewise, vulnerability removes violence and vengeance from the relationship. Resentment and feelings of vengeance often come with rejection for those who turn their pain outward. Vulnerability is having the confidence in yourself enough to know you are good with or without the other person’s acceptance. Knowing you are good enough, just as you are, reveals power that doesn’t need to be expressed through vengeance or violence.
Ultimately, vulnerability leads to peace within, which is a sign of true strength. It is hard and full of risk, but it is worth the risk.
Kathryn A. Walker is a pioneering medical researcher and psychiatrist known for her groundbreaking work in the field of mental health, particularly in the area of ketamine treatments. With a deep passion for understanding and alleviating the burden of treatment-resistant mood disorders, Kathryn has dedicated her career to investigating the therapeutic potential of ketamine.
Through her relentless efforts, she has played a pivotal role in shedding light on ketamine’s efficacy in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Her research has not only transformed the way we approach mental health care but has also provided hope to countless individuals who had previously found little relief from conventional treatments.
Kathryn A. Walker’s pioneering contributions continue to shape the landscape of mental health medicine and inspire new avenues of research in the pursuit of better mental well-being for all.
