It seems sometimes that we live soulless lives. You build the walls, you wear the mask. The mask protects you. The mask is also hurting you, if you identify with it for a prolonged time. Until finally, the mask becomes you. And inside, the soul thickens in response. It might even give up on you, because you gave up on it first. But it never forgets the person you were before—the one who was beautiful, and vulnerable, and true. If you find the way back to your soul, the soul will find you once again.

Vulnerability is the nakedness of the soul. The beauty of it. The truth of it. Vulnerability is often misunderstood as weakness, but it’s actually a core part of being human. The word itself comes from the Latin "vulnus," meaning "wound." Being vulnerable means being open to being hurt, but it also means being open to growth. The risk of being wounded can lead to profound transformation in how we think, feel, and move through life.

When we go through painful experiences, we can either close off emotionally, freeze up, or allow ourselves to open. Too often, people close off, feeling like they need to be “stronger” or “tougher.” Society often pushes this idea that to survive we need to be impenetrable, like soldiers hardened by battle. But what’s actually happening is that we’re building walls around ourselves, preventing anything from getting in—and more importantly, preventing us from truly connecting to others and ourselves.

Strength, in its true form, isn't about becoming unbreakable. It's about having the courage to face our vulnerabilities, to show up as we are, and to make space for others to do the same. In Western culture, strength is often defined by dominance or power, especially in authority figures. But what if strength was defined by the willingness to be open, to let ourselves feel deeply, and to embrace our imperfections?

Being vulnerable isn’t about being weak—it’s about being real. It's about letting go of the fear that if we open up, we’ll be hurt, and realizing that without that openness, we can’t really experience life or growth. The walls we build around our hearts only keep us from being fully alive. We stop being vulnerable to life, and life, in turn, stops being vulnerable to us. Our hearts begin to freeze, and we lose touch with our ability to experience true connection.

Vulnerability isn’t something to be feared. It’s a pathway to deeper creativity, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we stop living in conflict with ourselves. We stop fighting against our own fears and start embracing them. The result is a life that’s more connected to who we truly are, less burdened by the need to protect ourselves from everything that might hurt us.

In the end, embracing vulnerability is what allows us to truly live. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being open—and that’s where real transformation begins.