Between Each Step

A recent foot injury made me realize just a couple things about life... for one how important feet are: The foot is actually the shape of a tripod of a couple key bones, bound tightly together with ligaments and muscles. All the weight is distributed evenly over the three spots; the heel the first big toe joint and the baby toe joint. This allows the body to maintain balance as well as protect itself from injury (you can imagine how painful it would be to balance on just one point). With one foot out of commission, balance is out of the question. The opposite hip and knee bear double the weight they are use to, therefore collapsing to one side. For those anatomy junkies, the hips create a triangle shape where we hold out center of gravity. They help distribute the weight evenly over the two legs. However without one leg, the weight is lopsided, creating imbalance, and loss of movement. I am consistently amazed at how the body is designed and functions, everything is perfect balance!!! But I digress...

Second; how help is there when you need it, or "ask and you shall receive", "the universe always provides". Loved ones, family, friends, even strangers all step up to the plate, when you ask. In these last couple days I have been amazed at just how much love I have around me. My parents running out to get me bandages, my coworkers making work life easy, patients gently accommodating my schedule changes, close friends texting me for updates on my progress and giving me words of encouragement.

I have always shown my vulnerability.. wait we must clarify something here. What is the difference between vulnerability and being a victim (as I also was in my past...)?? Vulnerability is empowering. It is about being strong, showing a beautiful side of yourself, and not letting that side consume you. Being vulnerable is releasing emotions in a healthy way. A victim is defined by their weakness, looks for someone to "fix" their problems. As dictionary.com says... (and i love this).. "a person who is deceived or cheated, as by his or her own emotions or ignorance."

Dictionay.com defines vulnerability as: vulnerability: 1.capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon: a vulnerable part of the body.2.open to moral attack, criticism, temptation ...It implyies that you are open, and in turn weak, to something negative. Lets shift this definition... how about being OPEN to both negative and positive events and situation? The key word here is openness .

I have noticed for some people vulnerability is foreign, uncomfortable and taboo. If this is you I challenge you to try it out. The act of acknowledging you need help, and showing "weak" emotions can change the way you see the world. Being vulnerable gives others the space to open up and show all their emotions, in a free non judgmental space. I feel vulnerability is so beautiful... it reminds us that we are all human, with both light and dark.