Vulnerability.

Does the word alone make you uncomfortable? First definition I came across is “capable of being physically or emotionally wounded.” YIKES!

However, a definition further down on the list is “liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in  bridge.” (aka…the card game)

Brené Brown did a TED talk in 2010 on the power of vulnerability and it is one of the most watched with 15 million views. I highly recommend you watch it here.

In her #1 New York Times Bestseller, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (2012) she says “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”

She also says, “What’s the most significant barrier to creativity and innovation? Kevin thought about it for a minute and said, “I don’t know if it has a name, but honestly, it’s the fear of introducing an idea and being ridiculed, laughed at, and belittled.”

For me, this blog has become my greatest test of vulnerability. For years, I was scared what people would think and how their opinions would affect me. Even more, what if nobody cared what I had to say? Then one day, I woke up and decided the risk of keeping to myself was greater than the risk of sharing my heart and hustle with the world.

(For the record, I believe the majority of people still think I’m crazy for devoting a huge part of my waking life to this currently income-less food blog, and I can happily say my soul is at peace with that knowledge. #vulnerability)

Through this journey I’ve learned, as Brené said, that “Only when we’re brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

So, in what area of your life do you need to be vulnerable? Is it a relationship, your career, an emotion?

“When we spend our lives waiting until we’re perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make. Perfect and bulletproof are seductive, but they don’t exist in the human experience.”

Let your vulnerable moment be now.

Description: Melt-in-your-mouth peach goodness. They are buttery and sweet with just a tart hint of lemon. These mini cuties are the perfect Christmas morning tea cookie, or day after “there’s fruit in this, so it goes with my diet” cookie.

Peach Print Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1 1/4 cup organic sugar

1 egg

1 tsp lemon extract

2 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

Peach Preserves

 

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Cream butter & sugar.

3. Add egg and lemon.

4. In separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.

5. Roll teaspoon size balls, make print with thumb and fill with 1/4 tsp preserve.

6. Bake on greased cookie sheet for 7 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes before moving to rack.

“Real dishes break. That’s how you know they’re real.”

-Marty Rubin

BuoybyB.

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