If you’re anything like me, you take on the role of a master carpenter at times, one who specializes in building walls around your vulnerabilities. Vulnerability has been labeled as a weakness by our generation, which is truly a shame when you think about it. Our vulnerabilities are what make us unique, they add value to our human experience. But, for some reason we’ve become accustomed to masking our emotions at times when they desperately need to be unveiled.

We are consumed by the concept of desensitization, we hide away our raw feelings for another person because we want to seem as if we are indifferent. Indifference is a safeguard where our walls can not only remain, but also grow to new heights, ultimately protecting us from intruders both wanted and unwanted. We build walls to reassure ourselves that we will stay standing even in the wake of destruction. When the world around us is crumbling, we take cover to ensure we won’t crumble along with it.

In my opinion, weakness is allowing our fears to override our progression. A strong person is characterized as someone who has withstood the devastation and heartbreak life brings about. Strong people acknowledge their vulnerabilities and are not afraid to bare them to the outside world, no matter how intimidating it may seem. A strong person wouldn’t dare to let their walls barricade their inner self, they are able to recognize the beauty in the breakdown.

Stripping down to the core of who we are is terrifying beyond a doubt. When we bare it all, we abandon those walls we spent so much energy building, we’re completely exposed to the elements that surround us. Being authentic not only with oneself, but also with the outside world requires us to accept our vulnerabilities and to allow others the chance to embrace them as well. It is never a weakness to admit to the way we feel, it is rare to come by those who can bare their hearts and minds so effortlessly and unapologetically.

Those who say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done, and feel what aches to be felt should never be classified as weak. They admire their vulnerable parts, because they know they are the crucial pieces that make them whole. There is never a guarantee by saying, doing, and feeling that we will receive the responses we wish to. However, we will never walk away from a situation feeling as though we could have been a more unedited version of ourselves.

There is an indescribable beauty that can’t be ignored when someone is afraid to bare it all, but does so anyway. A beauty that only people who wholly commit to each part of themselves possess. It would be easier to hide behind our great walls, to allow our fears to control our personal growth, there’s no sense in denying that. But, I challenge you to cherish those who abandon their own walls to let you in, those brave enough to own who they truly are.