I’ve been stewing about something for a few days. Not long ago, I listened to a podcast episode where Tim Ferriss interviewed five-time NY Times Bestselling Author (and vulnerability researcher), Brene Brown. [Click HERE for the interview on YouTube – l love the marriage/parenting tips shared 50 minutes in and onward.]
I honestly did enjoy the entire episode. However, there is one question that lingers for me. In the full 45-minutes or so, they were discussing vulnerability and in using elite athletes who are miserable (going on their third marriage) as an example, not once was the word “grief” used. And, I’d love to know: “WHY? ” They were discussing scenarios of miserable people and vulnerability as it relates to the hard Knox of life. Brene did say, in the event where someone is not willing to go real deep (into their vulnerability), then that’s where these individuals need to seek therapy options.
Can we please start calling situations of emotional dis-ease, emotional turmoil/pain – for what it really is? IT’S ALL GRIEF! We all have it and no one is immune.
I’m a Questioner and was a “Why?” kid. You know the one that asked “why” about everything under the sun. Yeah, that was me – still am a questioner of all things. It’s why I end up down so many rabbit holes on any given day. Curiosity and questioning have both served me well and have derailed my progress many times over. Lol!
Anyway, if we look at the comparison graphic above, where I compare vulnerability to emotional honesty, we can see that one feels quite a bit differently than the other, right? Say the two comparisons out loud (vulnerability and emotional honesty), and the physical vibrational response is different, too – because one simply feels better than the other. One feels more aligned with our human-ness, in my opinion.
When I’m in a mood for reality television (e.g., “The Bachelor”), it’s interesting to me how many times the word “vulnerability” is thrown around. It’s a buzz word, for sure; it’s all over television, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook – you name it. And, if I’m honest, I feel like it’s lost its effectiveness.
How about, from now on, we tell the emotional truth about ourselves? How about we get emotionally honest with ourselves and others? And say that’s what we’re doing when we’re speaking from our hearts.
Try that on for a while. See how that feels instead. It makes a hell of a lot more sense, too. It needs no explanation and requires no fluff or buzz words.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. The conversation changing relies on us to start changing it.
Are you ready to discover how to become emotionally honest with yourself and others in a safe, guided, and supportive environment? I invite you to reach out to me via my contact form or on social media [@theunleashedheart].