8/26 assignment:

1) Review the Moreau FYE Fall 2021 syllabus. Which of the focus questions or objectives stated in the document stand out to you as particularly relevant to your life? 

In the fall semester, the objective to deepen self knowledge is relevant to my life. In the past year, I started to dread going to college, and even started to doubt if I wanted to go at all. I was always so envious of the people that knew themselves and knew what they wanted to study; I was totally lost, and I still am. I’m hoping that Moreau will help me understand my own values and beliefs more, so I can apply those into my daily life.

2) Drawing from Dr. Brown’s commentary, submit a QQC Reflection to prepare for in-class discussion. View the “QQC Reflections” section of the syllabus for detailed guidance. 

Question(s): Is it possible to teach vulnerability as a sense of empowerment rather than shame?
Is it natural for humans to feel shame from vulnerability? Is it due to our environment?

Quote: “In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen--really seen.” 
I love this quote for two reasons. The first is that this quote shows that vulnerability is not forced upon us; rather, it is a choice that we make: “we have to ALLOW ourselves [...].” This might scare some people that they have to willingly be vulnerable. In my mind, though, it is empowering. I have complete control over my own vulnerability and insecurities. I can choose how much to share and how much to keep to myself, but learning how to force yourself out of your comfort zone (rather than being forced from an outside source) is such an important skill to me. The second reason I love this quote is the two words that Dr. Brown added to the end: “really seen.” These two words imply that there are different ways to be seen: on a surface level and on a deeper level. Rejecting vulnerability creates these surface level relationships in which one may technically be “seen,” but lacks the ability for someone to truly see us as who we are. In order to be “really seen,” we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable.

Commentary: I thoroughly enjoyed this TED talk mainly because I have had to be vulnerable most of my life. One concept that Dr. Brown mentioned that really stuck with me was that vulnerability is not a good or bad thing; it's just necessary. Luckily, I have been exposed to this early. I've gone to a psychologist since I was 9 years old. I’ve learned how to be vulnerable and I'm proud to say that it now comes naturally to me. Similarly to Dr. Brown, I now see it as a necessity in my life, a necessity in order to make connections with people. No true friendship only exists on a surface level; a deep connection requires vulnerability from both parties, which builds love, trust, and acceptance. Living in Scottsdale, Arizona, my struggle in building relationships was not due to my lack of vulnerability, but the lack from the other side. It’s hard to build relationships when it seems like you’re the only one willing to be vulnerable, so I cannot stress enough how important I think it is to teach others to be comfortable in their vulnerability.