On some level we are all susceptible to being harmed or attacked. It is easy to be afraid that something or someone could hurt you, whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally. It is okay to be vulnerable in life and in relationships. In some ways you have to be vulnerable to allow someone in.

I would hate to think at the end of my days that I never let another person in. That I hid myself from the world by building up a wall that I refused to break down. You have to be willing to let others in, even if that means you might get hurt in the long run.

You are more than capable of being the stronger force, of being the bully, being the one to always take advantage, but is that really who you want to be. Welcoming in those fears makes you human. It makes you someone who is willing to take a chance on a person or a situation, knowing the outcome maybe one that is harmful to you.

Being sheltered and cutting yourself off from the rest of the world is, in no way, beneficial. You must be willing to get hurt. You could be missing out on so much by not allowing someone in. You could be giving up the love of your life, your dream job and so much more by remaining invulnerable. Remaining a hard rock does not keep you from getting hurt. Even the toughest rock will crack someday.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Life will throw many curveballs your way and no matter how hard we try to avoid them or say it does not phase us, it will. Being vulnerable doesn’t mean someone is allowed to walk all over you. Being vulnerable does not make you weak. Being vulnerable means allowing yourself to endure the world’s most difficult struggles and still getting up afterward.

You are always capable of being hurt. You are always capable of being betrayed. But being vulnerable makes you capable of being open to those around you when it happens. Don’t be afraid to let someone in. Don’t be afraid to be confidently you. Don’t be afraid to give and accept love. Don’t be afraid of getting hurt, it will only make you stronger.