Vulnerability, Shame and Courage

[femmeInterrupted]

I'm posting two links of Brené Brown that are on TedTalks. I'm posting them under this new thread rather than the TedTalks or the PTSD threads because what I really want to explore and focus on, are the concepts and issues behind and surrounding Vulnerability, Shame and Courage, as they relate to trauma and healing, recovery and resiliency.

In her talk Brené defines courage as the ability "To tell the story of who you are with your whole heart" Commonly, it's simply defined as "strength in the face of pain or grief". In my opinion and experience, this is very true, because it takes courage to heal. It takes courage to be vulnerable and 'lean into the discomfort'. It takes courage to be authentic.

All of these things; the ability to be authentic (our authentic selves) the willingness to 'let ourselves be seen', to fully embrace rather than numb vulnerability, are all essential in developing genuine connections. Connections with friends, family, partners, therapists, you name it.

These connections are vital to our well being, creating the framework in which we build capacity, foster resiliency, and importantly, create lives where we feel worth of love and belonging.

In my experience being vulnerable, or seen as vulnerable brings along or creates issues of shame. It's seen by many as weakness. I would even say that vulnerability is deeply gendered also, as are the issues surrounding it.

I think the talks touches on elements that are very relevant for anyone out there struggling with the effects of trauma, PTSD, Vicarious Trauma, Secondary Trauma, Compassion Fatigue and Burnout.

Beautiful, moving work based on years of Dr Brown’s research.

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown...erability.html

and

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown..._to_shame.html