In a well-presented TED talk called “The Power of Vulnerability” by Brene Brown, the the ideas of shame and vulnerability are discussed greatly. Within this talk, Brown explains the revelation she came to in regards to vulnerability: vulnerability is the root of shame and fear, yet it is also the source of a sense of belonging and worthiness. More specifically, Brown deliberated that in order for people to feel worthy of who they are and live authentically, they must embrace vulnerability and confront the truth. Though facing the truth may seem somewhat easy, many tend to block it out, escaping vulnerability and living a life full of numbness. This idea of not facing reality is greatly exhibited by two characters– one from the novel Bright
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At the age of 9, Andrew pushes his mother out of frustration, which unfortunately leaves her paraplegic. As a result of this tragic accident, Andrew’s father, a psychiatrist, sends him away to boarding school and puts Andrew on medicines that suppress all of his emotions and feelings. Though this may seem insignificant, these medicines are what catalyze the period of Andrew’s life in which he is numb of all emotion, allowing him to escape his reality and the truth. Andrew is so inexpressive that even when he receives the call that his mother passed away he does not shed one tear. Though Andrew is able to escape this truth through the use of the emotion-suppressing medicines, it was his father who put him on these medicines. Thus, when Andrew visits his family to attend his mother’s funeral, he decides to stray from the medications so he can begin feeling emotion– the first step in him becoming vulnerable. However, the real turning point when Andrew faces the truth and allows himself to be vulnerable is when he reveals how he was responsible for his mother’s paralysis to Sam and his high school friends. This moment of revelation allows Andrew to face the truth of his mournful past and finally feel emotion, though it may be sadness. It is through this vulnerability that he discovers who he truly is and realizes that he must no longer stay on his medications and escape his reality, but rather must face the truth and feel all emotions, whether it be happiness or
At the age of 9, Andrew pushes his mother out of frustration, which unfortunately leaves her paraplegic. As a result of this tragic accident, Andrew’s father, a psychiatrist, sends him away to boarding school and puts Andrew on medicines that suppress all of his emotions and feelings. Though this may seem insignificant, these medicines are what catalyze the period of Andrew’s life in which he is numb of all emotion, allowing him to escape his reality and the truth. Andrew is so inexpressive that even when he receives the call that his mother passed away he does not shed one tear. Though Andrew is able to escape this truth through the use of the emotion-suppressing medicines, it was his father who put him on these medicines. Thus, when Andrew visits his family to attend his mother’s funeral, he decides to stray from the medications so he can begin feeling emotion– the first step in him becoming vulnerable. However, the real turning point when Andrew faces the truth and allows himself to be vulnerable is when he reveals how he was responsible for his mother’s paralysis to Sam and his high school friends. This moment of revelation allows Andrew to face the truth of his mournful past and finally feel emotion, though it may be sadness. It is through this vulnerability that he discovers who he truly is and realizes that he must no longer stay on his medications and escape his reality, but rather must face the truth and feel all emotions, whether it be happiness or