August Things
Understanding Vulnerability
I’d forgotten which floral I chose for August until I took the calendar from the wall. I’d chosen poppies because of their rich color and because I especially like the strong contrast of their dark centers.
I’m sure, even if subconsciously, I chose deep red because I think red represents courage. The verse I used last year is one that reminds us how our thoughts can weaken our resolve or strengthen it.
If there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Have you ever felt you truly grasped the meaning of a word only to realize you’ve been using it/embracing it all wrong?
I’m talking about vulnerability.
It’s a bit trendy to proclaim or claim to be vulnerable. I listened to a conversation about vulnerability and understood better its effect on our lives and especially on creativity.
Each time you place yourself in a setting or situation that “exposes” you, you are vulnerable to rejection.
Rejection creates shame and shame kills creativity.
I’m a tiny bit embarrassed to tell you, I thought vulnerability meant “honest” or “authentic” and I thought I would be most likely to be the one “most likely to succeed” at that.
Instead, vulnerability is “the quality of being vulnerable, capable of being wounded, susceptible to wounds or injury.” (definition courtesy of my yellow paged 1960 Webster’s dictionary)
I paused and wrote myself a little letter,
Why would anyone choose to be vulnerable? Maybe it’s not so much a choice, instead a reality of life to become better at accepting.
Last night, my sleepy tea bag helped me put to rest a good and long day and unbeknownst to me, welcome today, a new morning, a new month, one that invites me to go easier and more joyfully towards the day that marks another year here on my birthday.
Saying just keep stepping forward, taking small and good steps.
My thoughts on vulnerability continued after I flipped the calendar to August and I realized I’d kept a bit of a tender conversation about me as a little girl tucked away until sleep last night.
She gently demanded I notice her in fitful dreams.
Unless you stay tucked away in a safe place of solitude and self-protection, you will always be vulnerable to wounding. But, once you accept this possibility of “wounding” and carry on in what is yours to do with “the work of your hands” and heart…you will grow stronger and less defeated and ashamed by the wounding.
You will feel strength more than you will feel shame. Vulnerability will be less a threat and more an opportunity to grow.
August holds many opportunities for me.
I gather with a group of people affected by cancer on the 10th. I will guide them in creating collages of butterflies, hoping to comfort and remind of new beginnings always.
I turn 66 on the 11th.
I’ll paint abstracts with new and old friends with my “Juniper friends” on the 13th.
I’m finishing up two commissions so that I can devote my heart and my time to painting for a December exhibition at Aiken Center for the Arts. The opening reception will be December 3rd.
Don’t forget the thank you code I created for reaching 3000 followers on Instagram. It’s good through August 31st!
Thank you for being here!
How can you be vulnerable today, fearing less the risk of wounding and embracing the certainty of new strength?
Happy August! May it be filled with good things!
Lisa (Anne)