vulnerability notes

some 'important' things i've learned along the way...mostly about vulnerability. in light of my hardships, i seriously can't tell you how important this list is below. i know because i've learned and am still learning them first hand. believe me or not. i can only praise the Lord for His continual work in my life. I can't imagine where or who I'd be without Him.

-it's hard, really hard to actually be vulnerable.
-most people dont realize they arent [vulnerable]
-healing will never occur without vulnerability
-be real with others and with yourself
-you will find that there are people out there that really do care about you (i.e. your situation in life dealing with hardships and hurts)
-when you've experienced extreme hurts in life you tend to embrace the negative in all things- DON'T. seriously, DON'T. its not only miserable for others to hear, it'll make you miserable, and always, always a doubter.
-its so much easier to give than to receive.
-learning vulnerability is extremely hard but you'll never learn if you don't start trying.
-you won't learn overnight, but if you don't ever try, you really won't learn. no excuses.
-don't expect to learn any other way except by actually being vulnerable.
-lack of vulnerablitiy ruins, taints, hinders, hurts, crushes, destroys, and severs relationships.
-never hide your hurts with 1) a smiley face 2) avoidance of the hurt altogether 3) an apathetic attitude about the hurt (we acknowledge it but cover it up with God jargon like- "oh, i'm just waiting for the Lord to do something- make a move- work in my life..")
-most of the time Christ moves in our lifes when/after we become proactive- sometimes that's what he's waiting for- a step out in faith. (applies greatly to the one i just mentioned above)
-don't cling/dwell on the past. learn from it and move on. if we keep a track record of other peoples wrongs or our own, we build up more hurt, thus hindering our vulnerability.
-i cannot emphasize this one more... seriously, get real. get REAL with people. OPEN UP.
-its okay to be vulnerable with people you just met. (this is hardest- but speeds up the process of learning vulnerability.)
-never demand respect. you have to earn it- reality check: most people would blatantly rather disrespect you if you're the one doing the demanding.