Why is Vulnerability Misunderstood?

The world men inhabit is rather austere. One finds a strange amalgam of contradictory traits where vulnerability is bleak and mistaken. Where one is susceptible to criticism. Where one shields themselves with defenselessness and helplessness.

They do it to protect themselves from pitfall and temptation. Vulnerability is an equipment to deal with hostility.

• He beats me every day, but, what can I do?
• I am humiliated every day at work by my boss. But he has the authority, I am helpless, I have to deal with it.
• I am fat. My friends make fun of me, but there is nothing that I can do.

Situations that one encounter conventionally crafts helplessness. Being a victim is certainly vicious. Nonetheless, it does not determine one to take charge.

In all conscience isn’t there anything one can do?

Start sensing

At the sight of a butterfly, the term sensitivity culminates in one’s mind. However, the authentic implication of sensitivity is not fathomed.

Sensitivity is wrongly comprehended as gentle, delicate, weak and helpless. A butterfly righteously possesses these qualities; and it is the most sensitive. However, it’s not weak or helpless. When a butterfly ‘senses’ danger, it swooshes away and protects itself. Flying away when sensing danger is anchored in a butterfly. Hence it is sensitive but not vulnerable.

Vulnerability has been wrongly presumed as being sensitive. But being sensitive is to perceive through sensations. A person who is sensitive is aware and responsive to the feelings of others.

Never miss real stories from India's women.

Register Now

In the case of a butterfly, it senses danger and flies. With human beings, danger is perceived as helplessness. One either has low or high threshold of sensation. It becomes strenuous for an individual to gauge a response to a particular sensation. That’s when vulnerability substitutes.

To overcome humiliating situations, and helplessness, one has to start sensing things.

It is “OK” to be vulnerable but not surrender to humiliation

As humans we imbibe anything and everything. When a human being biologically has low immunity level, he or she is prone to catch diseases faster. Similarly, when human beings are in jeopardy, their resistance to fight back is highly low, and they choose to follow the ‘flight response’ or give in to the danger and become the victims. Either of the response cannot be approved. Choosing to surrender for menace is most humiliating and dangerous. So, stand up for yourself Now!

Why does one become vulnerable?

Vulnerability was never inculcated in human minds. Gradually, it starts substituting strength and courage. Fear is an important factors which makes one feel subordinate. In the process of pleasing others, one gradually gives in to humiliation, injustice and inconvenience. Vulnerability is due to lack of self-confidence. When one doesn’t know what their choices and preferences are, they most certainly are not aware of their attributes as well.

The first step towards vulnerability is to unlearn becoming susceptible. Start sensing! Feelings matter!

Fighting against vulnerability

It requires a lot of courage to stand up for oneself. It is a brave act to sense danger and face it. Nonetheless, one must be in a position to sense the inconvenience. The world has always been a ruthless place. And its ruthlessness is not hidden from anyone. The weak is crushed and the powerful is respected. However, we frame the weak and we frame the superior.

Vulnerability can be dealt with, by starting to sense, knowing and appraising thyself. Every individual is unique. However, individuals gauge their abilities on the basis of appreciation. Why wait for someone else’s rewards? Reward yourself for your achievements. Reward yourself for your accomplishments. Who else would understand or know you better than yourself. Drawing rules and ethics and rigorously following them, crafts in oneself a better individual.

Earlier Published here.

Image Source Unsplash

Comments