Friday Five: Being Vulnerable

So I bring you this weeks Friday 5:

1. Is vulnerability something that comes easily to you, or are you a private person?

I am pretty open and honest. Authenticity is very important to me! But I have to admit, I don't like to cry in public. I end up doing it anyway, but I usually fight it at first.

2.How important is it to keep up a professional persona in work/ ministry?

In my work as a healing practitioner, I have found that it works better when I am real, down-to-earth, accessible and connected.

3. Masks, a form of self protection discuss...

I was taught to hide as a child. Remember that commercial, "never let 'em see you sweat"? I used to tease my mom that that was written about her. She seemed to equate vulnerability with weakness so eventually, I got good at hiding my feelings, even from myself. People would comment on how peaceful I always seemed.

I'd tell them I felt anxious or upset, etc., and even those closest to me would say that they had no idea. When I was in grad school for counseling, I realized that that couldn't be healthy and decided to work on it.

Now, people tell me that what I am feeling shows on my face whether I say it or not! Mission accomplished.

4. Who knows you warts and all?

My wife. God. Me.

And one of my friends from church, I think. He apparently has taken things I have said, remembered them, mixed them all together, and come up with things I didn't say but that are nonetheless true. He surprises me regularly with that ability.

5. Share a book, a prayer, a piece of music, a poem or a person that touches the deep place in your soul, and calls you to be who you are most authentically.

There have been many books, songs, and people who have done this and I am grateful for them all!

Lately, or most recently, I have been reading Nepo's the Book of Awakening, which helps connect me to myself.

6. I thought of another bonus question: if there was a quality you wished to show to the world, that you don't think you have, what would it be?

For me, I think it's a kind of fearlessness when I am interacting with others. Think Sophia (from the Golden Girls) with wisdom.

I am an introvert who thinks before she speaks. And I am quite self-conscious at times. If I'm nervous, I will even stumble a bit over what I am trying to say.

So, at most, I can only resemble this quality. When I am at my best.