Lecture/Video: The Power of Vulnerability

Intro
" The Power of Vulnerability" is a 2012 TED Talk by Brené Brown, a distinguished researcher and teacher at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. In this talk, Brown focuses on her research study into vulnerability, nerve, value, and embarassment, and discusses how these feelings are key to living an unfaltering and satisfied life.

Connection: The Core of Human Experience
Brown begins her lecture by stating that connection is the basic human requirement and the core of human experiences. People flourish on their capability to interact, understand and keep relationships with others. However, in her research, she discovered that there is something that underpins the ability to experience connection: a sense of value, or the belief that one deserves love and acceptance. Worthiness is the crucial difference between those who feel a sense of connection and those who have a hard time to discover it.

Pity and Fear: The Vicious Circle
The fear of disconnection frequently leads to a vicious circle of shame and vulnerability. Pity is the fear of being unworthy of connection, while vulnerability is the fear of enabling ourselves to be seen, even if it indicates exposing our weaknesses and insecurities. Brown emphasizes that vulnerability is the birth place of creativity, innovation, modification, and eventually, of connection. It is essential to welcome vulnerability to experience an unfaltering and fulfilling life.

However, many people fight with vulnerability due to the natural fear of being evaluated, criticized or declined. Brown suggests that people frequently numb vulnerability through various means such as dependency, workaholism, perfectionism, and a fascination with control. Sadly, numbing vulnerability likewise indicates numbing the positive feelings that make us feel alive, like delight, thankfulness, and joy.

The Six Pillars of Wholehearted Living
Through her research study, Brown determined the following 6 characteristics of people who live totally and accept vulnerability:

1. Nerve: They have the willingness to tell their stories, be honest about their emotions, and accept their imperfections.
2. Compassion: They have the capability to feel sorry for others and themselves, and to be kind, even when dealing with criticism, worry, or failure.
3. Connection: They worth genuine connections with others, built on trust, authenticity and vulnerability.
4. Credibility: They embrace their individuality and are willing to let go of who they think they must be in order to be who they genuinely are.
5. Strength: They have the capability to bounce back from misfortune, embrace imperfection, and see failure as a knowing opportunity.
6. Thankfulness and Joy: They actively practice gratitude and celebrate minutes of delight, even in challenging times, recognizing that it is vital to welcome vulnerability to experience these favorable emotions.

Conclusion: The Power of Vulnerability
In her last remarks, Brené Brown requires people to accept vulnerability, as it is not a sign of weak point, however rather a required part for growth, imagination, and connection. Vulnerability is the essential to unfaltering living and achieving true joy. By allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, we end up being more open, authentic, empathetic, bold and thoughtful people. By doing so, we can break devoid of the cycle of embarassment and worry and truly welcome the power of vulnerability as a source of strength and connection.