Quotes About Vulnerability

More and more research suggests that our ability to metabolize painful emotional states is enhanced by communicating with a safe enough other person.

To reach out for another is – to risk involvement. To expose feelings is – to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is – to risk their loss. To love is – to risk not being loved in return.

Traumatic emotional neglect occurs when a child does not have a single caretaker to whom she can turn in times of need or danger.

And the day came When the risk to remain Closed tightly in a bud Became more painful Than the risk it took to blossom. – Author unknown

Bravery is, in my opinion, defined by fear. It is taking right action despite being afraid. It is not brave to do things that are not scary.

Our only recourse then is to learn to love ourselves and our inner children when we are temporarily trapped in shame. Unresisting acceptance can gradually dissolve shame. We need to be as tender with ourselves as possible at such times.

One common sign of being flashed-back is that we feel small, helpless, and hopeless.

The Tao of Fully Feeling, and it was written as an appeal to the general public to understand the consequences of trying to sanitize one's emotions.

If the child is not frequently and enthusiastically engaged in conversation, how will he build the confidence to risk sharing his inner world with anyone else?

freeze response is triggered when a person, realizing resistance is futile, gives up, numbs out into dissociation and/ or collapses as if accepting the inevitability of being hurt.

Thankfully, I eventually realized that I had unresolved attachment issues, and sought out a Relational therapist who valued the use of her own vulnerable and emotionally authentic self as a tool in therapy.

Authentic sharing can be triggering, and sometimes flashes the survivor back to being punished or rejected for being vulnerable.

Many abandoned children enter adulthood feeling that the world is a dangerous place where they are ill-equipped to defend themselves

Animals do not view freezing as a sign of inadequacy or weakness, nor should we.

If they have not trembled and breathed that way before they are released, they will not survive. They will die.

steam-rolling over a younger, weaker child or pet.

Sometimes their "brave face" is an attempt to reduce the anxiety of a bewildered parent.

The critical idea here is that when we are vulnerable, we benefit most from feeling a connection with a calm person who is confident of what to do and is able to convey a sense of safety and compassion. Your child will feel safe if he knows that you are strong enough to withstand (contain) his shock without becoming overwhelmed yourself.

Tell me about yourself - your struggles, your dreams, your telephone number.

What is your name?" she asked wearily. "Tom Gibbons." "And yours?" turning to The Wounded Bad Man. "Bill Kearny." She glanced inquiringly at The Youngest Bad Man. "Bob Sangster," he replied. "Will you save my baby?" Slowly, searchingly, the wonderful eyes confronted each Bad Man in turn.

Later, she called him. Hopper said, "I love you, I need you." She replied, " Have you ever thought of suicide?

Are you okay?' she asked me. Of course,' I said. 'Why wouldn't I be okay?' There are lots of reasons why you might not be okay.' There are lots of reasons why anyone might not be okay,' I said.

Once again I felt light-headed, but this time it wasn't from the scent of lilacs; it was from the scent of my own death.

Church is too often the most risky place to be spiritually honest.