I’ve read so much about vulnerability and the fact that it takes courage.  Yes, I agree that letting the world know who you truly are, what you feel and what gifts you can share requires a willingness to be real, be open and be seen especially when so many of us have felt hurt, rejected or taken advantage of.  What I have not read much about is the recognition that vulnerability requires the establishment of healthy personal boundaries. 

Personal boundaries do not bind your heart and spirit; they do no are not barricade feelings in or out. Personal boundaries invite free movement and exploration within a healthy zone determined by you. In order to be vulnerable, our healthy personal boundaries must be clear to us first before we can explain and model our personal boundaries for others. Your healthy personal boundaries are the foundation upon which a new relationship with vulnerability can be created.

Imagine healthy personal boundaries as a well-functioning sprinkler system. When our personal boundaries are healthy and transparent, we are refreshed by the sprinkling and ongoing flow. When our boundaries need adjustment, we can feel stale, stagnant, dried out and stifled which can often appear as many forms of emotional upset.