To dare greatly takes vulnerability, which is one of the scariest words in the dictionary, if you ask me.     

     The truth is though, as a creative soul, it is one that I cannot escape easily.  Each image I create and put out there for the world to see I am sharing not only the work but a piece of myself.  And even then, it is only after I have intensely scrutinized these images, making sure they are worthy of showing, that I actually release them to the light of day.  As my husband tells me I am my own worst critic.  

     However, this year for 2013 I made a promise to myself, "No more fear", this is my new mantra.  No more fear of failure, of starting a project, of criticism.   I've taken on this mantra because I have been toying with exploring different areas of the art world; completely personal, abstract, less commercial projects.  One's that are much more nerve racking to share.  This week, as I was entering into this new territory, I found strength in the words of Theodore Roosevelt.

                  “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly."   

     I came across these words, via a researcher, who has devoted 10 plus years to researching the very topic of vulnerability.  Her name is Brene Brown.  She has just come out with a book titled, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead.  Now I have yet to read her findings but I have taken the time to listen to her TED talk on the topic of vulnerability.  You can find it at Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability (click on link). 

     Here's what I walked away with from Brown's TED talk, which only encourages me even more to read her book. 

     She spoke a lot about connection and how it's really what the world is all about.  Making and fostering strong connections with the people and the world around you.  She goes on to say that in order for one to feel truly connected he/she has to be seen, they have to be vulnerable to the world.  In her research she found that those who are truly able to be vulnerable have a strong sense of worth, along with love and belonging.  They have the courage to tell the story of who they are with their whole heart.  The telling of these stories consists of three qualities.  First, the courage to be imperfect.  Second, the ability to show yourself and others compassion.  Third, the ability to make a connection as a result of authenticity.  These individuals are willing to let go of who they thought they should be in order to be their true selves.  To be vulnerable is to be truly present in your life.       

     So with inspiration from Roosevelt and Brown paired with my new 2013 mantra.  I find myself feeling a little braver.  I'm going to give vulnerability a chance and embrace the conncections it presents to me.  I will enter the arena and fear not the results but instead be seen whole heartedly and know I gave it my all, even if I come out battered and bruised.  

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." H. D. Thoreau