elegant aspirations

After a few upbeat months, we find ourselves once again in a state of pandemic upheaval. As I look around, it’s understandable that people are feeling anxious again. A swirl of emotions surrounds us as we do our best to find our footing: anger about vaccines, disappointment in progress, overwhelm by variants, and exhaustion from constantly changing plans. All of this is rooted in our feelings of vulnerability—we simply don’t feel safe.

Although our existence on this earth is, by nature, vulnerable, many of us live with an elaborate illusion of invincibility, particularly when our lives are comfortable and running smoothly. We make plans, set goals, and establish routines that help us feel relaxed and settled. Confronting feelings of vulnerability can be excruciating, and we prefer to avoid them whenever possible. Even when something inevitably exposes our vulnerability, such as illness or heartbreak, we often put on a brave face, change the subject, or pour another glass of Chardonnay.

What I believe is happening now is that it’s becoming harder to avoid the truth about just how vulnerable we all are. This isn’t just about the pandemic; we are also facing a steady drumbeat of rising temperatures, economic challenges, social unrest, and political instability that accompany our daily lives.

As grim as this sounds, it is only part of the story. I believe there is, paradoxically, great value in our feelings of vulnerability. I have observed a direct relationship between our increasing sense of vulnerability and our awareness of how fragile we truly are. When the sky over the Berkshire Hills was thick with smog from the Oregon wildfires a few weeks ago, it was impossible not to feel empathy for those in the West losing their homes and businesses, as well as for everyone across the globe grappling with raging fires and catastrophic flooding. This moment is prompting a seismic shift in our understanding of our shared humanity: we are all in this together, no matter who we are, where we live, or what we have.

Contrary to our unease with vulnerability, it does not have to signify weakness. People who have the courage to share their vulnerability openly are often the most powerful. For example, in Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, he said, “…I may not get there with you.” His acknowledgment of vulnerability makes this one of the most impactful speeches in history. As the opposite of false bravado and posturing, it resonates deeply within us in a profoundly authentic way. We recognize the truth of our vulnerability in his.

It will take all of us working together to effectively tackle today's challenges, and none of us will be immune to their impact. Facing our feelings of vulnerability head-on requires enormous courage and fortitude, but empathy and understanding of one another can only be achieved through this level of authenticity and truth-telling. By cultivating a deeper understanding of our own vulnerability and that of others, we will all emerge stronger and better equipped to work together as we strive for brighter days.