The Power of Vulnerability -
Brené Brown
Sharing this TEDtalk as it reflects on some key moments you may be experiencing through your journeys on MAPP - perception, story-telling, research and places being vulnerable in the process as part of the process of not knowing, the process of learning. Brown also acknowledges the committment to her research (10 years) and the ebbs and flows of this - as you begin to identify areas of inquiry (module two) or set out on undertaking your research (module three), as reminder that you are not setting out to answer questions, or solve the World's problems in a 12 week inquiry project - you ARE setting out to explore an area of your practice more deeply in order to perhaps know it differently.
What are you thoughts?
Thank you for this Helen. I deeply admire Brene Brown. I have followed her work and currently have the Rising Strong audiobook in my car.
ReplyDeleteI believe the points Brown speaks about are true in dance and art - show up vulnerable (bodysuit and tights), find your joy (what inspires you), be creative (teach, choreograph, create), and know that by putting yourself out there, by being vulnerable, we can truly feel alive.
We need the courage to be vulnerable, and by connecting and commenting on each other’s blogs, we help each other feel heard, feel part of a community, feel worthy. So, fellow artists, let us meet out here in cyber land. Let us tell each other stories with soul and learn from the data to bring us to a deeper point of understanding.
Being vulnerable is what I believe to be an act of strength, it shows passion and drive to continue the journey of learning and expanding the way you approach things in life. It’s easy sometimes to not make changes or put yourself in a situation that’s uncomfortable or afraid but by facing it, just going with it and giving it your best shot is such an amazing accomplishment. Also, being prepared to accept feedback and use it as a leverage to re-think and approach something differently is a positive notion.
ReplyDeleteGoing through the process of the MAPP has shown me that the vulnerability of not always knowing what to do has been the ignition to keep driving me forwards and not give up. Even though it’s difficult feeling vulnerable, to try to believe in yourself that you CAN do it understanding that being in an uncomfortable position can help to break through barriers, revealing new confidence to search a little deeper in what you believe in.
Thank you Helen for this. It is a very strong video and words. Our vulnerability is actually our strength, but most of us never see ourselves in that way. It is much easier to struggle with it, scream, expect for someones call and look miserable, having everything under certainty (which is also so sad and exhausted) than start listening ourselves, being worthy, stop to be perfect, rather start to be brave to be seen deeply, vulnerably and worthy of love and belonging. I think most of us were been there and when we admit to ourselves that reality than we can move on in our relationships, work, creativity, joy, sadness,... Vulnerability is part of creative people, especially people in arts,writing, dance, movement, drama...we are showing that vulnerability every day , we are exposed, we let ourselves to be seen deeply, we are open as a book cause being vulnerable is being honest to the others but to oneself as well. this is our tool to show core of fear but also safe place of joy, love and belonging.
ReplyDeleteDuring the studying i found very vulnerable place, blog. Firstly, i did not know what to write. I mean i have thoughts, something to say but still when i realized that this needs to come out in public, i started to be a bit in panic, what to write, what to say , how smart this should be, bla, bla,,,than i just breathe in and started with writing. i trusted myself in this process. this is only what we have. We must treat ourselves the best. Think that we are worthy. and suddenly this sounds so pathetic but it is not! this is important to repeat every day.
Thank you Helen for this. It is a very strong video and words. Our vulnerability is actually our strength, but most of us never see ourselves in that way. It is much easier to struggle with it, scream, expect for someones call and look miserable, having everything under certainty (which is also so sad and exhausted) than start listening ourselves, being worthy, stop to be perfect, rather start to be brave to be seen deeply, vulnerably and worthy of love and belonging. I think most of us were been there and when we admit to ourselves that reality than we can move on in our relationships, work, creativity, joy, sadness,... Vulnerability is part of creative people, especially people in arts,writing, dance, movement, drama...we are showing that vulnerability every day , we are exposed, we let ourselves to be seen deeply, we are open as a book cause being vulnerable is being honest to the others but to oneself as well. this is our tool to show core of fear but also safe place of joy, love and belonging.
ReplyDeleteDuring the studying i found very vulnerable place, blog. Firstly, i did not know what to write. I mean i have thoughts, something to say but still when i realized that this needs to come out in public, i started to be a bit in panic, what to write, what to say , how smart this should be, bla, bla,,,than i just breathe in and started with writing. i trusted myself in this process. this is only what we have. We must treat ourselves the best. Think that we are worthy. and suddenly this sounds so pathetic but it is not! this is important to repeat every day.
I believe that feeling vulnerable is another right of passage towards gaining the strength we acquire to achieve greater things in life. During this journey of the MAPP program I found myself feeling lost and vulnerable many times, but that lead me trying harder and not giving up so I can accomplish what I want at the end of the program.
ReplyDeleteI believe that having confidence and believing in ourselves is the most important thing so we feel worthy, and push ourselves beyond our comfort zones!
Maria Yiangou
Wow thank you so much for sharing this video Helen. I felt like Brene was inside my head. Within the first week of journaling after teaching class, I realised that I am incredibly open to the students about myself and share my heart on my sleeve to try and make a connection with them. I felt that this was a negative at the time, as I feel certain students didn't connect with me but I now see that there is a positive to the feeling of vulnerability as well. I think I will sit with this and blog about it this week. Thank you again for such an inspiring video.
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen for sharing this. The first thought that came up to me was 'the power of knowledge disarmament'. I will watch the video later and share my reflections.
ReplyDeleteHaving travelled to third World countries I have re-thought of the concept of vulnerability; there are millions of people who live really vulnerable lives, they don't know it, they have no time to reflect on it, they just cope with it. I recently watched 'the Rising Phoenix' documentary on Netflix and the incredible strength that those para-athletes expressed through overcoming their status of mind from telling themselves 'you are vulnerable' into 'you can do it' inspired me so much. Through teaching and learning I have come across situations that showed to me a person can face uncertainty and having two options: acknowledge and analyze it, or take action. I have seen the students who managed to apply their courage to their decision-making, had been exposed to some sort of inspiring sources: either someone who believed in them or a role model they could identify with and emulate. I was asked to run a choreography programme once to Year 3 children over a few weeks. I remember there was a child, the principal thought she was the most uncoordinated and inarticulated in her movements. I found she was fantastic instead, because when she danced she showed all her shyness, insecurity, but when she danced she was happy! And she pushed so hard, regardless of her lack of coordination and technique. I was really pleased when I found out she got the first place in the choreography competition. So, again it might depend on the context we realize we are vulnerable, sometimes it's better not to know it and just getting by. It might be it's where we place it in the priority list of problems we need to address, that makes the difference, perhaps? I don't know Brene's research so I will look more into her work. Thank you again for sharing interesting links!
DeleteShowing vulnerability is often equated with weakness but actually it's quite the opposite. Being vulnerable and accepting it, demands a lot of courage and strength.
ReplyDeleteVulnerability and weakness have a negative connotation for a we are living in a society that aims for perfection. I believe the world needs more "imperfection" and more role models aside from stereotypes.
‘Stories are just data with a soul’ – I LOVE this declaration. I think this is so important to remember when we are each individually hacking into the research that we see important and sharing on this platform. I most certainly feel vulnerable diving into this MAPP course however it’s so wonderfully reassuring reading responses to this video and seeing everyone wholeheartedly lean into the discomfort of their vulnerability in order to find courage, be compassionate and feel connected. Thank you for sharing Helen!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great talk! She really engaged me and made me consider all her points. Yes, I have always seen vulnerability as a weakness. I have always fought with myself to try not to show it, particularly in my professional life. So embarking on the MAPP course has made me feel vulnerable and I try to steer away from opening up and delving depends into my thoughts. Yes, it is uncomfortable but I need to accept my vulnerability to help open up my mind.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. This talk really touched on a lot of points I have been thinking about. For me I have felt vulnerable in this program but am still working on how to be vulnerable with my work and communication. I am happy to have found more self vulnerability throughout the program and in my areas of teaching/life. Although I am moving at slower speed from intrinsic to external vulnerability similar to what Brene shared I am happy to be able to tap into the original source a bit more and to be able to continue to encourage myself to open my vulnerability in areas of communication related to my career. I think for dancers this can be especially challenging as most ways of learning in the professional studio teach you to perform regardless if you are vulnerable or connected to yourself. Vulnerable emotions are often frowned upon. Which is actually quite a big aspect of my module 3 project in terms of somatic feeling for dancers.
ReplyDeleteBest to you all, Julianna
Part of our MAPP journey is about finding something important for our practice and try to understand it deeply. I like the way Brenè looked at connection and vulnerability. I think that everyone is vulnerable but, paradoxically, it takes strenght to be able to show and accept that vulnerability. That for us means accepting how we feel during the process and enjoyng it! Also, as she mentioned 'to be ready to let go who we were', and in terms of dance, to keep an open mind and accept changes, challenges and fear.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen for sharing!
Laura
Thank you for sharing Helen, a poignant research topic.
ReplyDeleteVulnerability and how it affects our lives is a difficult thing to recognise in itself and in ourselves, as is how to use it to our advantage. For some this feeling can be all consuming. It is said to feel free to show vulnerability to our students, that it aids acceptance of imperfection and improves a student/teacher relationship by allowing greater understanding of the person.
Breakdown = spiritual awakening. A positive spin to embrace, not just the revelation of the statement but how we can turn an otherwise negative attitude about ourselves into a purposeful positive. I admire these restructured thought patterns, excellent food for thought.
I see the blocking out or numbing of emotion affecting many student’s lives. The numbing affects friendships, learning, communication and, if not typical behaviour, difficult for the student to articulate what has taken them down the route. I see the same thing happening at different times of my life and that of colleagues at times of stress, uncertainty and ill health and, indeed, when we are feeling vulnerable.
Thank you again. I am excited by this learning journey and hope I can peel back the protective layers of vulnerability in order to source my own learning, as per yesterday's meeting.
The courage to be imperfect really struck a cord. Our discipline is about striving for perfection. How has that possibly shaped how we feel about ourselves and how we view the world?
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful episode with much to unpack.