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200 words, authentic, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, division, family, Fear, friends, honesty, integrity, Life's like that, love, Relationships, struggles, true to yourself, Truth, vulnerability
“The marks humans leave are too often scars.”
John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
I have this thing I want to share with you. I’m not particularly proud of it, but I’ve learned so much about myself because of it. But I’m afraid to tell you. I’m afraid you will leave me. I’m afraid you won’t want to be in my life anymore. I’m afraid you won’t look at me in the same way.
We’ve all felt this way at some point with someone, whether it was a lover, a parent, a child, a sibling, or a friend. But sharing whatever it was came with the threat of losing the other. And not sharing came with the threat of losing honesty between us and the laying of the first brick of a wall that will eventually divide us.
It’s no wonder we struggle with vulnerability. It can hurt us, and most probably will. After all the root of vulnerable comes from vulnera which is Latin for “to wound.”
Yet if I am not honest about who I am and you are not honest about who you are, do we even really have a relationship?
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
dawnkinster said:
Struggling with this in my marriage right now.
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dianasschwenk said:
Hope you work through it soon Dawn. ❤
Diana xo
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Denise Hisey said:
Diana, this really touched home for me. I am a big fan of Brene Brown and have been listening to her books on shame, vulnerability, and whole hearted living.
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dianasschwenk said:
She does have some pretty amazing stuff to say Denise! ❤
Diana xo
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villanueva7784 said:
Unfortunately, it is true that mankind leaves more scars than anything else in this world. I work with children, and unfortunately I see the impact that emotional scarring has on an individual…
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. It is unfortunate. I am thankful that you work with children and help them. There is much suffering in this world, yet we must remember there is also much overcoming of it. Thanks for stopping by Villanueva! ❤
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
Great post Diana! Vulnerability is what we all share … and most of us hide. Acknowledging this is an important part of building any relationships 💕
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Val, it’s starting to sink into my thick skull. Maybe that’s why we get so much time on earth, it takes awhile to learn these things… ❤
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
😊
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sedge808 said:
‘After all the root of vulnerable comes from vulnera which is Latin for “to wound.”
excellent post
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you. 🙂 ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Diana,
Trust is the foundation of any productive and worthwhile relationship.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
I so agree and I’m so bad at it. 😦 ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Just keep trying.
-Alan
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roughwighting said:
Thanks for the reminder to myself to read that book. Although I’ve been a bit reluctant — I’m afraid it will make me too sad.
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dianasschwenk said:
Well the movie certainly had me sobbing! ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
That’s pretty brilliant, Diana. I have been accused of being too intense, not always easy to be around, mainly by my birth family. They reject/resent my candor, do not want to discuss our past, ever. It has created division, where it should have been a way to bond. It is frustrating, but I’ve had to let most of it go. ❤️
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s a very loving thing of you to do Van. ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
Wonderful book, wonderful quote!
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dianasschwenk said:
I haven’t read it Jennifer, but I love the quote and I bawled throughout the movie! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
The movie was quite good as well you’re right. 😊
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dianasschwenk said:
I love it. ❤
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Healing Grief said:
Being vulnerable takes courage, but I have found it leads to deep connection and love. Great post Diana. 💚
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dianasschwenk said:
I believe you’re are right Karen. ❤
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
It is part of being human and live but for all we know bears may feel the same and say it is all part of being a bear, same I guess can be said for birds, and fish or any living thing.
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dianasschwenk said:
Who knows, eh? Thanks for stopping by Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
I think it’s part of being human!
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes Lisa, me too! I read recently that a certain woman, I cannot remember who – I think it was nun, said at the end of her life, “Thank you for letting me be a human.” What a beautifully tragic and enlightening journey we experience while we are alive. ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
It’s sometimes difficult to reconcile being honest with being vulnerable. You would almost think the opposite.
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dianasschwenk said:
Intrigued. What do you mean Colleen? ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
I was referring to the quote. How there was something to share, something truthful but difficult, and in being honest, the person was making themselves vulnerable. How scary that is! ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh yes, of course!
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David Kanigan said:
And that is the big question!
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dianasschwenk said:
I am noticing the answer gets easier as I get older David. ❤
Diana xo
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Wakweika said:
The fear of the other person’s reaction or society’s reaction tends to stop many from revealing their true selves. I guess in the end it all comes down to revealing what you can live regardless of the outcome
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. It is a personal choice isn’t it Wakweika? We each decide what we can and cannot live with. ❤
Diana xo
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Wakweika said:
I do agree with that
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George said:
Tough quote, but very true.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. I guess that’s where forgiveness steps in George. What do you think? ❤
Diana xo
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George said:
I agree, another difficult thing to do for some people
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