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Sarah Thompson's avatar

I’ve been reading your pieces on vulnerability and I wonder if there is something else that people sometimes mean when they use that word, having less to do with breakability and more to do with authenticity (I know, I know, that word, but I don’t have a better one right now!) The part about being real about where I’m not perfect, even knowing that it *could* make me vulnerable to incursion.

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Karen Keener's avatar

Intimacy, receptivity, openness, whatever. I do not think there’s a positive terminology to connote putting the responsibility for our personal growth onto someone else. LOL! But I think when we use these poor word choices, they don’t merely play out as we would like them to mean. Your body hears you say “I’m compromising” “I’m vulnerable” etc. and I shudder to think how your mental and physical health subconsciously demonstrates those sentiments.

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Karen Keener's avatar

I do NOT think there’s a positive terminology… onto someone else.

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Sarah Thompson's avatar

Intimacy, receptivity, openness, are putting responsibility for personal growth onto someone else? Or meaning those things when you say “vulnerability” is putting that responsibility on someone else? I’m not completely clear. I know that was your point re:vulnerability in the columns, just want to make sure I understand your comment.

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Karen Keener's avatar

I think those are some better words. I think vulnerability implies that we are open to attack, at least that’s what my dictionary says. So, these other words just might be better choices. But I don’t know if you will find a positive bent on putting your stuff on others.

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