“I define vulnerability as uncertainty, risk & emotional exposure. To be human is to be in vulnerability.”
Brene Brown
This Brene Brown quote just struck such a chord with me.
There just seems to be so much about life we can’t control at the moment. It’s a constant round of worrying statistics, new restrictions, uncertainty and frustration. It felt good to have a reminder that vulnerability isn’t necessarily a negative thing when so many of us are feeling particularly vulnerable or fragile. “To be human is to be in vulnerability”, how reassuring is it to hear someone say that?
It’s not a weakness. It’s perfectly natural to feel vulnerable in this situation. Life is so very different for most of us. Change is hard and we have no control over many of the changes that we are being expected to make.
If you are struggling with the situation you find yourself in, I’m always happy to listen. You can find me on most Thursday lunchtimes somewhere within the Engine rooms. Look out for my blue chaplains fleece and please come say hello. It’s not possible for me to wander around in the Engine Rooms due to social distancing but I’ll try to find an obvious space where it will be easy for you to stop and chat to me a little on your way in or out.
In the meantime and hopefully to help you reflect on the quote and it’s message, try using the image of the lion peering out from behind a tree – what do you see as you study him? Spending time with nature can create so many wonderful moments of reflection and reflecting back to us.
For me he represents courage and vulnerability. Strength and uncertainty, much like the quote. Wisdom about knowing which battles to fight and when to walk away. He seems to reflect the things that I find useful to focus on at this time. Wisdom and strength to follow the new guidance in spite of the frustration and heartache that it may cause; courage to admit when we feel vulnerable and to remember to be kind to ourselves. Always find ways to be kind to ourselves, in order to grow our capacity to be kind to others.
If you’d like to talk in a confidential, safe space you can email info@mitechaplaincy.com to request a call-back, or you are very welcome to call or text me directly on my mobile: 07526 378529 either to chat or to arrange a time to meet.
We also have a range of resources on our web-site including some that are more specific to the Covid-19 outbreak and some that help in dealing with stress: https://mite.org.uk
Find us on social media at:
Facebook: @mitechaplaincy
Twitter: @mitesthwarr
