Brene Brown and Vulnerability

     I watched an inspirational speaker tonight thanks to a "share" on Facebook by my dear, Theresa.  I know I have watched bits of Brene Brown before but today the timing was special.  I have been walking through life on such a mission but occasionally there is a weak spot and I falter.  They are getting more infrequent and less substantial but they happen nonetheless.  Today, I took a slow car ride home on a curvy back road and tried to listen to the messages.  I took in the beauty of the scenery.  I listened to a lovely song.  I felt the warm air on my skin.  I let the tears fall.  I tried to practice the very lessons I try to teach others.  I tried to practice the ones for myself.  But it isn't always easy. 
     The very things I heard in the video clip were the very things that keep coming up with the people I care about.  They have also been a theme.  The vulnerability, the numbing, the shame, the love...it is all intertwined.  It is what causes destruction with the people we care about the most.  They are the very things that stop us from living the full life that we could be living.  We have to reach out and be vulnerable.  It is hard.  And yet I practice everyday.  In fact, today I told a friend that I loved her and told another that I missed her terribly.  I send out random emails, messages and texts lately telling people how I feel.  I ask when I need help.  I nag when there is silence.  I put my hand out to the stubborn.  Sometimes it is unbearable but I do it anyway.  Maybe if we all did it nobody would have to get hurt.  Maybe if one shows others that it is ok...more will follow.  Maybe we could all put down our weapons and just be kind.  Somehow I doubt it but the listening to this wise "researcher storyteller" made it all make just a little bit more sense for me tonight.  And I needed it.  So thank you universe for answering the question.  Thank you even more for giving me the gift of the people who answered it!  ;)