Quotes About Vulnerability

Most people live their entire lives with their clothes on, and even if they wanted to, couldn't take them off. Then there are those who cannot put them on. They are the ones who live their lives not just as people but as examples of people. They are destined to expose every part of themselves, so the rest of us can know what it means to be a human.

Unwilling to be naked, I had made her naked instead.

I had to be so ugly that the humiliation I brought on myself would humiliate him, too. I would have to strip every last filament of golf from my skin - all the gold I had put there - and strip the fold from his skin, so that none of the gold on him would reflect onto me, and so we would be in utter darkness together.

I knew that if I said a single word, I would burst into tears, as I always did, always had, my entire life, whenever anything difficult had to be discussed. It always was too scary; a threat I had felt since childhood that at any moment a relationship might disappear with a poof because of something little I had done or said.

Whenever I try to explain myself, he always says, What's holding you back? I cannot point to anything. What holds me back is my actual freedom - my reluctance before the void. Reluctant to make my own meanings, in case I make them up badly, afraid of being laughed at, a fool, apart.

That's because you give your heart away too easily.

Falling in love is no way of getting to know someone.

My brokenness is a better bridge for people than my pretend wholeness ever was.

A rabbit, it has been said, can outrun a lion. But the rabbit's great fear of the lion paralyzes it, making it easy for the lion to catch and consume it.

the greatest barrier to intimacy is fear -- fear of being known, fear of being rejected, fear of facing the truth about ourselves... ...We are afraid to be known because at some deep level we fear that the truth about us, when out in the open and reflected back to us through someone else's eyes, will be shocking to ourselves.

Jesus never encouraged His friends to cover over the pain in their lives, but to bring it into the light, where healing is found. Sometimes we don't do that because we fear being rejected by others. Yes, rejection may well happen, but bringing the pain to the light is still the best way to live. It will take much courage, but it will bring freedom.

We all need a place where we can give voice to the worst that torments our souls and still be held.

Not married until 33, Abraham Lincoln said, "A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that cannot hurt me.

Walking away from you with a broken heart is easier to handle than selling my soul to make love with you. I'm sorry, Adrian. I might be lonely, and naive, and all the things you think about me. But I'm also true to myself, and I won't denigrate my feelings for you. They're much too precious in a world that offers so little love.

It is, I think, that we are all so alone in what lies deepest in our souls, so unable to find the words, and perhaps the courage to speak with unlocked hearts, that we don't know at all that it is the same with others.

we are all so alone in what lies deepest in our souls, so unable to find the words and perhaps the courage to speak with unlocked hearts, that we do not know at all that it is the same with others.

Scar tissue does more than flaunt its strength by chronicling the assaults it has withstood. Scar tissue is new growth. And it is tougher than skin innocent of the blade.

Trust is placing your heart Inside of a box Even when you Yourself Do not Have a key. Trust is that moment Of finding the key, Opening the box, And giving It all Away.

I'm a whore!" Miki hit the brakes...her hands.. gripping the steering wheel, glanced at Sara. "You're not wearing any underwear, are you?" Sara let out a strangled squeal...

I've found it's never the animals you have to worry about, Miki. It's the humans.

I'm okay," he reassured her before he could say something stupid. Like "marry me.

Marry me." Hiding his immense relief, Lock replied, "Shouldn't we get to know each other better?" "What else is there to know?" she asked, her eyes gazing hungrily on his mouth

I fear feeling my heart break a second time, because I'm not sure I could survive it. I'd rather live alone than risk the pain.

You can get hurt at any time.