You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.

Vulnerability

I've learned that the more vulnerable I allow myself to be, the more in control of myself I really am. --Anonymous

Melodie Beattie talks about how many of us can only be strong...stiff upper lip...always confident, we believe the face we have to show should be always polite, perfect, calm, strong and in control----WHAT a burden we place on ourselves

While it is GOOD and appropriate to be in control, and calm and strong, etc., there is another side to everyone of us---its when we are weak, needy, scared, doubting, angry,  that part that needs care, love, and ESH from our fellow travelers and trusted others, reassurance that things will work out..Expressing these needs makes us vulnerable and less then perfect...but THIS side needs to be accepted as well

She talks about how letting ourselves be vulnerable will help strengthen our relationships...Sharing our vulnerabilities helps us get closer to people and it also helps others feel close to us...we grow in self-love and self acceptance...we become more healed and we become healers to others... we can be whole and accessible to others 

Today, I will allow myself to be vulnerable with others when it's safe and appropriate to do so.

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the KEY word is "WHEN ITS SAFE" to be vulnerable...I know when I come here, I can be either strong/weak....happy/sad....optomistic/pessimistic....I can BE with my FEELINGS and not be shamed or put down....

But it wasn't always that way for me...back in the BR (b4 recovery) days and early recovery days, I feared looking weak..in my family of origin, if I showed weakness or neediness or anything that was not strong, I was either attacked or shamed and blamed.or rejected....so I became a hard little shell...in doing this, I drove away a lot of good people I am sure, because they just didn't feel like I needed them ever!! I , out of fear of attack or rejection, wouldn't show that I really ached for love and support and validation and hugs and love so I stayed in my little bitter island.....

I am so grateful that I evolved thru this wonderful program that I can show ALL sides of me and be loved and accepted....WHAT a JOY!!!  a GIFT to be sure!!!

how refreshing is it to come here and BE ME and still be accepted???