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Why Vulnerability is a Paradox
When was the last time you heard a personal story that had a big impact on you? Was it a story that someone told in a powerful and moving way that substantially changed the way you feel and think about a subject? Did that person share something about themselves, an event from their life, or a transformational experience that stirred something deep in you?
Stories are about people. The most powerful stories move — they take you on a journey and open the gateway towards greater trust, connection, understanding and love. For so long, people have been looking for that secret ingredient to help them understand why stories are so powerful. Whether that is through neuroscience or the arts, storytelling for mental health or business, communicating big ideas in politics, society or for charitable giving. However, in the context of personal stories, wherever they may appear, there is one thing that stands out most — something with the power to change the experience for both the storyteller and the listener: vulnerability.
What is vulnerability?
Vulnerability is that state of openness or of putting oneself in a position where there is the possibility of getting physically or emotionally hurt. When we own our stories, we bring consciousness to the narratives we hold, yes, but we also shine a light on areas for others so that we may be…
