The Power of Vulnerability
Have you ever tried to block, or numb an unwanted feeling or emotion like sadness or anger? Unfortunately when we try to numb a painful or unwanted emotion, we end up numbing them all (like happiness, joy, and love) because we can't selectively numb unwanted emotions. Trying to block or numb unwanted emotions is a very dangerous and unhappy way to live. Whether we realize what we're doing or not, attempting to numb one emotion with distractors like food or alcohol leaves us feeling empty and looking for purpose and meaning in life. A few days of this leaves us feeling as if we're just "going through the motions" day after day, with little direction. Some people have lived their lives like this for years, without allowing themselves to feel anything at all.
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I regularly see clients in my hypnosis profession that are blocking emotions because they're afraid of being hurt, saddened, or embarrassed again. So they hold back, even to the extent of not allowing themselves to feel anything at all. Thankfully hypnosis and hypnotherapy are very effective at helping people feel again, and if this sounds like you please consider seeing a trusted hypnotist or hypnotherapist in your area. If this doesn't sound like you I still recommend choosing today to allow yourself to be more vulnerable - take that chance, be your authentic self even if there's a chance at being hurt, saddened, or embarrassed, because the payoff of feeling joy, happiness, and the love of feeling understood and connecting with another human being is worth the risk.
I recommend that instead of blocking, or numbing emotions, allow yourself to fully embrace your authentic self and be vulnerable. When you experience painful or unwanted emotions (because the reality is you will feel painful or unwanted emotions, it's not a question of if, but rather when), then you use the power of hypnosis and your mind to focus on the good instead. As humans, we have a tendency to focus on the negative because we're constantly striving for perfection. Instead focus on the courage it took for you to be authentic. You will likely inspire others to do the same. If you'd like you can even close your eyes and allow yourself to fully absorb the feeling of being you - the true, authentic you. That's the most important thing you can ever BE in this life, because you are the ONLY ONE that can do it. That is your uniqueness, and special gift to this world. Just being your true, authentic, and vulnerable self.
So go ahead, be vulnerable, and your courage in doing so will enlighten everything that it creates.
I was inspired to write this after seeing this highly recommend TED talk, where Researcher Brené Brown discusses her research into human connection.
"When we numb [hard feelings], we numb joy, we numb gratitude, we numb happiness." Brené Brown