by Gary Maclean

Created on: August 09, 2008   Last Updated: January 21, 2010

HOW TO BE VULNERABLE

To open yourself up to anyone, to let down your well built wall of protection, to bare your soul and true emotions, can all be threatening and very difficult to do. It is absolutely necessary to always be on your guard today, especially with such an increase in fraud and deceipt. You must build the walls of protection around yourself and yours. Sometimes though, you simply have to let your defenses down and let someone else in.

Being vulnerable can come in so many different guises. To admit you are supporting the underdog in a political race, or for a man to show their feminine side by appreciating flowers, or even for a woman to expose her masculine side by preferring to work on her own car rather than to spend the money to have anyone else do it; these can all be baring experiences that will make someone vulnerable. One of the most common situations we all have probably face, that would put us in a position to force us to let our guard down, is when we find we love someone and we want them to know it. What do we do that will allow us to keep our own pious position yet will assure our partner that we really do love them.

Do we tell them we love them. Do we actually break down and say the words "I love you so much". Or do we take the easy way out and settle for something much less convincing something like "You know I love you."

"You Know I Love You!" That five word sentence doesn't say a single thing to anybody. Whoever said it, is trying to answer a question he or she has just been asked; "I just said I love you, why don't you say it back to me?" The person responding with this simple five-letter sentence simply cannot say anything else. To actually say the words "I Love You," would be far too exposing, far too vulnerable. That person would feel they have just let down their self-contrived barrier against possibly being hurt.

The member of any relationship who is hearing this phrase needs to do some soul searching. When anyone, man or woman, says they love you then asks you if you love them, they are looking for an answer. They are hoping for one particular answer. They do not want something so non-committal as "You Know I Love You." They really want to know what is on your mind. How do you really feel? They want you to tell them "Of course I love you Honey, More than anything."

Typically it is the woman who is free about sharing her sentiments of love. Men seem to keep their feelings to themselves. Perhaps in the throes of passion you

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>