Vulnerability

Vulnerability is not a weakness,
a passing indisposition,
or something we can arrange to do without,
vulnerability is not a choice,
vulnerability is the underlying,
ever present and abiding undercurrent
of our natural state.
To run from vulnerability is to run
from the essence of our nature,
the attempt to be invulnerable
is the vain attempt to become
something we are not and most especially,
to close off our understanding
of the grief of others.
More seriously, in refusing our vulnerability
we refuse the help needed
at every turn of our existence
and immobilize the essential, tidal and conversational foundations of our identity.

--David Whyte (from book Consolations)