Be Vulnerable!
I have to begin by saying I am a podcast junkie! Since we moved up to Mentone and I still teach a few days a week in Birmingham, I find myself in the car quite often. So, I have plenty of time to listen to all kinds of podcasts. My recent favorite has been Brené Brown’s, Unlocking Us. When you have time make a point to listen to her interviews and talks on varieties of subjects. Her most popular talks are about Vulnerability. In fact she has a Netflix Special out right now on this exact topic. Brené defines vulnerability as having the courage to put yourself out there without knowing the result. She continues to use a famous quote from Franklin Roosevelt…
“The man in the Arena. It’s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.”
It’s not easy to try something new or stand up for something or someone without knowing the outcome. However you will regret never trying or getting “in the arena” even if it means failing or being wrong. ‘Cause what if it’s awesome and great?!! You will learn so much more about yourself and so much more about the world if you are brave enough to try. Being vulnerable is synonymous with being courageous. Great things can’t happen without it. Find what you do in your life that shows vulnerability. Coming to camp is a great example. Being a club leader or trying to be a leader is another. And what about being an LT or a counselor…that’s courageous!
