Slowly, the rain falls,
we rejoice in the moment.
And then it is gone.
Photo Credit
You
touch me so,
even when I’d
rather stay in tow,
and resist
Your earthly gaze.
For it is You out there
in the haze,
preparing the way,
for us to see
again.
Even
when we are unsure
about the road
to take, You
clear
a
path,
and a friend
we make.
It’s
Your honesty, and
transparency
that will leave
a legacy,
of times
when hope
was squandered
and people
often foundered
for an idea to hold
onto.
Yet,
You stay, and
present
what is, at times,
considered second best.
However,
in those moments,
we are merely confused.
And, yes, my friend,
it is,
a part of the
human condition.
To try and
understand,
what, at times,
is, and, may remain
a mysterious
transition,
which
we may leave
to Your guidance.
And,
the history
of a legacy,
which we can
clearly feel, and
face
as You nestle
us in Your tender
embrace.
Scintillating, as the
Sun rise, and the
Sparkle on a
Sea crested wave of bliss
Is keeping things
In perspective, a key
Inside all things, my friend, as is the
Inner-knowing, of the
Moonrise in the early dawn of
Morning, as the shadows play hide and seek
Magnificently with our genuine desire for
More games to begin, and yet
Playing games, and becoming
Perplexed, only causes more confusion, so
Please consider the simplest form of
Purchase between the two delivered to you, and
Love each for their unique gifts, as you
Languish in the sea salted air, and
Learn to tell the difference, a
Legendary affair of marked resistance and acceptance, is
Ever
Evolving, and
Energizing, our
Earthly
Existence
I’ve written about vulnerability often this past year. Why? Well, I do believe that vulnerability is one of the most important gateways to our own development. Pretty simple really.
Vulnerability conceptually is simple, as most things conceptually are. However, practicing vulnerability, well, that’s a whole different experience.
We can talk about concepts often and at length, however, when we put those concepts, like vulnerability, into practice in our lives, they can often feel very uncomfortable. And, vulnerability is no exception.
Yet, it is so important for each of us to find new ways, which are safe, to put vulnerability into practice in our lives. Safe? Meaning, where we are with people we trust and can rely upon. Important, as when we are vulnerable, we are bearing a side of ourselves that is, for lack of a better way to explain it, raw.
Raw, meaning, that these sides of ourselves have not been exposed to, what can sometimes be harsh conditions in the world, so we must take care when we practice our vulnerability.
Now, when we find those spaces and places where we can be the vulnerable-selves we know ourselves to be, so that we can grow and learn, there are many things we will get back from our environments, and ourselves, which makes practicing vulnerability quite the exquisite experience. What, prey are those things?
Right. Well, in this article we will explore three of them. Three reasons, as I think about it, why it is important for us to practice vulnerability regularly, so that we may grow into the next iteration of ourselves.
Ready? Good. Here we go.
Wow, how important is learning? Pretty important, right? Yep, I agree. Well, to learn more about the world, and the people in it, we must first, learn about ourselves. And, being actively vulnerable is key. Why?
Because we get to learn about aspects of ourselves that were previously unavailable. For instance, if you are nervous about public speaking, as I once was, and you always resist public speaking, well, you will never learn about the experience of public speaking. And?
That’s perfectly okay. However, if you are interested in tapping into a reservoir of untapped potential, then being vulnerable in the area of public speaking will be a gateway to your learning more about yourself as a public speaker.
The only way to become a public speaker is to do public speaking. You can read every book that was ever written on the topic, and still never become a public speaker. Whereas book knowledge is helpful, it is in the vulnerable practice of public speaking, for example, where we create the possibility of becoming a public speaker.
Now, as we practice vulnerability, and venture into environments that we previously resisted, we learn more about the experience of, staying with the previous example, being a public speaker. And?
Then, we get the experience of knowing what it is like to be a public speaker. Again, the only way to know what it’s like to be a public speaker is to become one. Meaning, to take one step, or one action, toward the realization of your goal to become a public speaker.
And, guess what? You get to control how big those steps are. When we actively participate in being vulnerable, we set the pace. It’s iterative. It takes time.
There was a time when I was terrified of public speaking. And, I mean terrified. Then when I was about 28, I wanted to become a leader in the company I was working for at the time. Well, there is lots of public speaking in leadership. Lots of it. And? I took one small step at a time. One step, led to the next, and so on.
And, the steps I just wrote about? That is growth. That’s what it looks like. You set a goal outside of your comfort zone, knowing you will have to be vulnerable to get there, and you take a step each day, or every other day, or once a week, or month.
Again, you control the pace.
Growth is an experience. It happens in the world by taking actions that we’ve not taken before. And, to take actions we’ve not taken before, especially when we are fearful or anxious, requires courage, yes, and it requires vulnerability.
Courage and vulnerability go hand-in-hand. In fact, there is a super cool quote I’ve drawn upon a few times from Brené Brown that speaks to this truth. Here it is.
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” -Brené Brown
Book Riot
Powerful. And, it’s been my experience that vulnerability and courage are linked. In fact, I believe they are one and the same. You cannot be courageous without being vulnerable, and you cannot be vulnerable without being courageous. They are one.
Now, as you learn more about yourself, and begin to tap into your vulnerable areas, you also begin to know more and grow more. These three, learning, knowing, and growing are also linked. And, the concept that lies behind them? Yep. It is an experience.
When we are in action, and experiencing life, living our life in vulnerable ways, we are creating movement. Movement for ourselves, yes, and for those around us. Meaning, when we move our own development forward, we move the development forward of the people around us.
It’s the way it works.
And, when we continue this pattern? Well, traction will inevitably follow. Meaning, that as we continue to grow, and those around us grow, we create contexts never seen before. Seriously. It’s not possible that they’ve been seen, because you are doing things you’ve never done before. Beautiful.
It’s inside of this movement and traction, and these new contexts, where the possibility to change the world lives. And, I mean this literally. The world is always moved forward from contexts that contain both courage and vulnerability.
And, remember you do have the power to change the world. We all do. What does it take?
Learning more, knowing more, and growing more in contexts that were previously unavailable to us. And, creating these contexts takes courage, yes, and vulnerability. So?
Be courageous, embrace your vulnerability, and change the world for the better. One action at a time.
A mythological
quandary, one
indeed,
for the ages.
As we turn
the pages, of
our shared history,
and begin
to investigate
the trouble about.
For
growing
is hard work,
has been for all time,
so, don’t be glum.
Rather, know
that
we are all confused
at times
when the pain comes.
As if
there’s a problem
with the sum
of our emotions.
Know,
our emotions
are in the right place,
just as they are.
Radiating
like waves
through a sea
of beatitudes
and, yes,
also platitudes,
as we mourn the self
we once
were.
See,
not all of us
were told that
growing is hard,
and to expect
to fail, and even
fall,
like a dancing bard.
And, now?
Let down
your guard,
be with
the moment,
and go that extra yard.
Knowing
all the while
that everything
is as it should be,
as you
are like the sun,
glowing, and
forever growing, my son.
We walk upon
Your flesh,
In so many different
Iterations,
Some dry,
Some damp, and yes,
As we tramp
From one place
To the next
We musn’t ever forget
Your Presence
Taking in new
Seeds, and giving
Birth to new deeds
Of all the fauna
And flora, and, oh,
What an aura
Of beauty,
I do see,
As I walk upon
Your shoulders
Bearing the brunt
Of all the worlds
Boulders
And holders
Of humanity
Is it enough
What we’ve done
For Thee?
Ah, alas, I
Completely agree
There is so much
More we can do, to
Ensure
Your living trust
Bears fruit
Forevermore,
Under the sycamore,
I stand, relating
This experience
As a simple man
Knowing only so much
For in God, I do trust,
And do know this,
My friend,
We must take a hand
In ensuring
That Your land
Is always able
To continue to stand
2020 saw lots
Of havoc,
Who new,
At the start,
There be a pandemic
Of the scope
And scale, we’ve
Now seen,
Phew, don’t ever
Forget to breathe,
And, as we get ready
To turn the clock,
Let’s remember,
The New Year
Begins with a shock
To our senses, yet
It’s also chock full
Of potential,
Where we can create
All the meaning-
Fullness
That, we’ve been
Lacking, in a year
Of solitude
And reclusion, no,
Not because anyone
Wanted to,
We stayed at home,
To bear the brunt
Of a virus
That was out
For blood,
And, thus, we
Learn to live,
And love again,
My friend, so
Take a moment
To reflect, on all
The loss and sorrow,
Yet, also contemplate,
The joy and hope
You borrowed from
Deep within,
And, carry that forward
To 2021, which
Is set to begin
And, as we move
Towards 12:00 am on
January 1st,
Let’s hold hands,
And pray for a planet
With people
That are not cursed, no,
Rather, they are
Well-versed
In a new, and
Grand
Resilient (re)birth
Happy New Year, everyone.
I look up,
And wonder
Why, for it’s
Always You
In the sky,
Your
Stars burn
Bright, like dew
Drops in the mist
Of all that’s
Forgotten,
And remembered
For it’s both
On which
We are dependent
Even in times
Where Your clouds
Are playing hide
And seek,
With me,
It’s always You
That I can and
Do see,
Written in the
Language of love
And compassion
For all
Of us, here,
Awaiting Your
Passionate embrace
Like a star kissed
Gaze upon
Our face
Tenderly calling
Us home, into
Your arms, full of
Grace
Comes
In many forms,
A product of a life
Lived
Sometimes,
It comes and goes
Just like a storm
In the sky
Even as we try
To hold to it tight
With all our might
Faith,
Is something
That is always there
Even when covered
Up,
And we begin to pretend
That it matters not
Deep down
We know
The truth of the matter,
Is that
Faith is what’s
Guided us
From the start
It’s interesting
To ponder
In later
Life
Especially when
You once believed
Your faith was gone
Left on a train,
Now alone in the rain
Without notice, yet
Even in that simple
Verse, is the seed of
One’s faith
Belief
In something
More,
And, when
The rain does pour?
Remember, your
Faith is not forgotten
You, my friend,
Even when
You try your hardest
To run again
Your faith
Is there, so then?
Simply lookup,
Give thanks,
And say,
Amen
Happens
To us all
Even when
We’d rather
Forestall
The pain, and
Grief
From coming
Close
At heart, we hold
Those dear,
And, when there’s
A suddenance
To the loss,
We fall backward
And out of
Cadence
With our normal
Rhythm
Of life, not because
We’re made of strife
Rather, because
We’re a part of this
Very life,
Which contains
Both,
Misery and joy,
And, yes, we do
Employ them both, and
It’s okay to feel them
As needed,
Even prescriptive
When hidden
And, now I’m
At your hospital bed,
Awaiting your return
Hoping and praying
That it’s not
Your turn, yet
Knowing it’s likely
As we can see
The signs
Written
Upon
The wall of your life,
Nay, our life,
Together
Because, yes, we
Were friends, and
Strangers in some ways
Until the very end
And in coping
I try to understand
Why it happened
So fast, and am
Reminded it’s
Not mine to pretend
To know
The answers
My friend
I called you
My dad,
And, did until
The end
With that last
Kiss upon you
Forehead,
I rendered the loss
Of my father, and
Dearest friend
Shadowlight Words 