What lengths do we go to in order to hide our vulnerabilities? We hone our skills, sharpen our minds, assert our power, leverage our strengths and tuck away our uncertainty, duck away from scrutiny.

What beliefs do we construct in order to not confront the mysteries swirling around our vulnerability? To be vulnerable is to be weak. Weakness is pathetic. Showing my cards will put me at risk. Taking a risk will result in failure. Failure is not an option. There’s danger in not knowing. There’s danger in opening up and showing. There’s danger in vulnerability. Danger, danger, danger!

When faced with many of life’s crises, we come closer to our vulnerability, more intimate with its nuances and if we’re lucky, we can be propelled into some great opportunity for growth and connection. One thing I've been seeing within myself and the people around me is that when things are falling apart a little, it’s pretty difficult to pretend you have it all together. But for some reason, many of us believe that we should have it all together, or figure we should be solid, confident and *gasp* even perfect.

 A friend recently pointed me to this TED talk about vulnerability with Brene Brown. It’s about 20 minutes long. I assert that it’s worth your time. My favourite piece, and a sneak peak for you…”Vulnerability is the birthplace for joy, creativity and connection…”