Positive Proverbs: Vulnerability

A lot of times, we shy away from the everyday challenges that life presents us. We feel inadequate enough to handle the challenge, therefore sometimes we back down. This week’s Positive Proverb comes from a quote given from an old field hockey coach of mine.

“Vulnerability is not weakness, and the uncertainty risk and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional. Our only choice is a question of engagement. Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose.  The need to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection. When we spend our lives waiting until we’re perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander out precious time and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make. Perfect and bulletproof are seductive, but they don’t exist in the human experience. We must walk into the arena, whatever it may be, with courage and the willingness to engage, rather than sitting on the sidelines. We must dare to show up and let ourselves be seen. This is vulnerability this is DARING GREATLY.” –Penny Kempf

Originally, this quote was aimed at a failing field hockey team that I was a part of. We were failing in the sense that we were not playing to our full potential and were backing down in situations where we had the strength to step up, yet we lacked the courage to do so. I remember focusing on this quote long and hard and trying to apply it to my presence on the field. After a while, I realized that this was one of the greatest pieces of advice I’d ever received, not only for field hockey, but for my personal life as well. Reading this quote, I’d realized that, in life, adversity was going to arise; it’s inevitable. What really matters, however, is the way you handle it. Are you going to back down and let your situation control you, or are you going to let your inner strength and courage shine through and step up to the challenge? Being vulnerable in these types of situations is where you grow and realize your true strength. Living life isn’t just about letting things happen to you; it’s about taking risks, being courageous, letting yourself be vulnerable, learning from your mistakes and hardships, and ultimately, daring greatly.  

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