How Vulnerability Leads to Strength

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

Maya Angelou

So true are the words of beloved Maya Angelou…it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are… I think back over my life and early on, I realized that I was/am, in fact, a vulnerable person. In years past, to be vulnerable meant that you were not strong and were deemed as weak. After all, most of us are conditioned to hide our true feelings; to not be totally in tuned to what we like and dislike; to hide behind a smoke screen and not let others know that we hurt, have lost our way, or simply need help in a certain matter. However scary this may all seem, in retrospect, I have discovered by embracing my vulnerability, it gives me pure and utter strength.

Recently I watched Brene Brown at the TED Talks discuss a subject called The Power of Vulnerability (enjoy the video below). During her discussion she points out these important facts: In order to be vulnerable, you have to have the courage to be imperfect. And, vulnerable people have connection because they are willing to let go of who they thought they should be, in order to be their true self. In other words, vulnerable people are not afraid to be authentic. Who doesn’t gravitate towards people who are real? I know I most certainly do. That’s the connection that Brene Brown talks about. I find it very refreshing to be in the company of a person who is in touch with themselves, and isn’t afraid to be imperfect.

As I studied Brene’s topic in greater detail, she also stated vulnerable people are usually creative people. Think about it…The creative mind is an open mind that is ready to explore, discover and be free. To have an open mind, wouldn’t it be necessary to be true to yourself? Absolutely! It totally makes sense. To be vulnerable is being true to yourself; living free – not living in bondage which equals STRENGTH.

Glenda K. Harrison

From the runway to your personal closet, be it advice on the proper attire, or suggestions on how to live life to the fullest, readers throughout the world are being inspired by connecting to “So What to Twenty”, a style blog by creator, author, and freelance style contributor, Glenda K. Harrison, graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising with a degree in Marketing and Merchandising. Although fashion and style are important to her, Harrison's real passion is reminding others of the importance of self-love and using one's God-given gifts and talents. Her blog inspires readers to view fashion as an all-encompassing vehicle and encourages women to explore their personal gifts, style, power, and, most importantly, inner beauty. Harrison has been quoted saying, "I view my clothing as the cast of characters in my life, and together we tell the story of Glenda." The death of her mother spurred Harrison to launch A Daughter's Heart in 2008, a cancer support service that partnered with hospitals to provide love and support to women undergoing cancer treatment. She put aside that work to focus on her lifelong dream of touching lives through her writing and her passionate point of view on the subject of style. Harrison has authored an inspirational memoir titled, A Place Called Peace, and, True Style: A Look Beyond the Surface. Both available on CreateSpace eStore and Amazon.

How Vulnerability Leads to Strength

Glenda K. Harrison

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