#Foodforthought Friday: Vulnerability Unites Us All

Every once in a while my fiancee will send me articles that he knows will get me to "LOL" or breathe out an audible "awwwwwe!" at first glance. Yesterday, he sent me this Bored Panda post about a Lion, Tiger, and Bear (oh my! — ...whatever dude, you wouldn't have been able to resist, either) who live at Noah's Arc Animal Shelter in Georgia. And they're besties. Like, for real, guys. I mean, this is either a horrible prank the internet is playing on me, or it's the most incredible thing I've seen all year:They developed an intense bond after being held captive together in a drug lord's basement under terrible conditions. In fact, conditions were so terrible the Black Bear had to undergo surgery upon rescue—and none of them were deemed fit for re-release into the wild. It's amazing, isn't it, how tragedy can unite us?  It's even more incredible to me how universal this is—the fact that this can span across species is heart-bursting. The most dangerous animals can develop trust for one another in the face of adversity. (Even considering that they were raised in captivity and more susceptible to being friendly with each other, this is pretty astounding). It breaks my heart to think of what so many people and animals have to endure. And yet, I recognize the value in the powerful bonds that are created through strife. I guess what I'm trying to say is: so many of us run from what hurts. So many of us try to stuff the pain, ignore the hardship, and bottle the memories. And I get that. I really, really get that. But when we confront the situations that harm us, when we acknowledge our discomfort, we open our hearts to make the kind of deep, esoteric connections with others we never deemed possible.  Think about a person you may know who's always happy, or always guarded. Is there someone in your life who seems incapable of opening up beneath the surface level? Now think about how close you feel to that person. My guess is not very. Who do you feel close to? How often has that person opened up and discussed uncomfortable topics with you? Do you see the connection? Like the lion, the tiger, and the bear—we discover our deepest, most trusting relationships when we allow ourselves to explore the darkness openly. When we feel vulnerable with others, and when those 'others' offer an equal level of vulnerability, we build a safe space where strength, connectivity, and love can grow. Food for thought. Happy Friday!