Everyone has a metaphorical suit of armor. Our "armor" shields us from a real or perceived threat. It can be literally anything that makes us feel safe, whether external or internal (behavioral). For example, fashion, makeup, hairstyles, accessories (like carrying a cigarette, cup of coffee, or an instrument everywhere as a security object), and even forms of nonverbal communication such as facial expressions/gestures would be categorized as external. There are also behavioral tactics we employ, on an often subconscious level, that make us feel safe and secure. This, too, is armor - which you can't see until interacting. The aloof coworker everyone calls a bitch. The neighbor across the hall who can't do more than small talk.
So, what's your armor?
'Vulnerability in Being Human'
"Many of us wear social masks that we project out into the world. Those that are strong enough remove their armor and reveal their selves. I'll share a few flash bulbs of awareness. I was in military, the army precisely in military intelligence and field artillery thus I utilize veterans services. I have depression among other things. I'd go to the depression meetings and some things stood out. One was hearing other veterans tell their story and I'd say to myself, "Man I can deal with my pain but not their pain or life."
Each knows their own pain as well private hell. A second thing is I saw veterans with literally no legs, laying on dollies with catheters and I was truly so humbled and asked myself, "What have I got to complain about in my life?" For no matter the circumstances things could be worse. Finally my sharing of my pain but in degrees and appropriate fashion (There seems to be a right moment when the group is in harmonious fashion, wave-length as well an energy- frequency). is a source of inspiration for others.
For me and it's a two way street. For i am transparent thus safe. Of a true paramount importance and necessary for healing; trust and revealing of one's true self and not a 'safe' mask put on for societies sake and not your own. In the end following this road will lead you nowhere. You will have died in vain never being true to yourself or ever really discovering yourself. For aren't we all human? Don't we all suffer? Who am i too judge anybody, even self. A judging soul is as one who is lost on his or her journey and is in such the state of ignorance doesn't even know it.
There isn't awareness or real self but be a puppet of societies dance of blind men dancing under moonlit sky, or perhaps a minaret and ultimately lost soul. Thus I may be have shown enough manifest trust ability to a degree for others to open up to my soul. That is honor of highest proportion. It is the rarest of honors when another human being shares of him self's or her self's heart. It truly is at least if one knows the full significance of this magical act and this is the revealing and sharing of one living soul to another.
(1) They will know I truly can understand, empathize and be warm.
(2) They themselves become humbled just as I was by my experience of seeing others worse off. It seems a weird thing to say but seeing others suffering lessens your own for you gain a new life perspective and appreciation.
(3) It gives them courage to share in a safe environment, be understood and not be judged ever. At least not by me and if I ever run across a callous individual they are gone. I will not put up with name calling, pejoratives and labels. They will be un-friended and blocked.
(4)They admire me for my bravery and honesty. For it is a hard thing to share leaving one open and to feel vulnerable.
(5) Also one can have fears, "What will one think about me now?"
Still it is part of the healing journey as well. If one reveals all one's demons, "What could possibly hurt me now? There's nothing left. Still it doesn't take the pain away, only for a moment perhaps. But I know at least I am not alone and also everyone has a cross to bear in life. Believe me this is not the kind of life I would have chosen. The payoff of my hearts dripping blood is this, because of my pain, vulnerability, bravery, perhaps strength of character, on that one I don't know for it is my place to say. Ultimately my humanity becomes manifest."