But what is life without love and what is love without vulnerability?

What is life without love?

I think about that in many moments when that thought strikes me out of nowhere.

Or it's a hit realisation when I get sentimental about the present moment of the life I'm living.

Or when I think about the people I love and care about, that my heart aches.

The heart is so full of love and with that grief.

Despite everything, isn't life really about choosing love?

Love extends to everything, from people, to passions, to the little things in life, to nature, to the beauty in the world we live in, to being, living life, living your own beautiful life, sharing experiences with the people in it, your loved ones, small joyful encounters, animals, and so much more.

There are so many songs and books written about love and living.

In the end, love conquers and love it is - which is a natural and normal part of being human.

What is life without love?

And what is love without vulnerability?

"You cannot live when you are untouchable. Life is vulnerability."

Vulnerability opens you to so much more of life that we tend to stop ourselves from experiencing, feeling, or receiving.

I know we learn to hold back, or we build up walls to protect ourselves. I get that, I truly do.

Though sometimes I wonder what could happen if I choose to make the conscious decision to open those castle gates, let down the walls a little more - with the people I trust, the people I like, the people I love and care for, and open my heart to being vulnerable and sharing my feelings, my heart, my thoughts, and telling people I really love them a lot and I appreciate them more than they know.

What happens then? What about then?

The worst that could happen - what is that?

But even so, would it have been worth it to know the outcome of showing your true self and expressing your feelings?

Isn't it better to be vulnerable and take the risk?

To take the risk to experience love and feel it all fully to the extent and extensions of the human experience of love extends to.

Risk it for this and then think 'whatever happens, happens'?

To love is to live.

To live is to love.

Maybe there'll be no regrets because whatever the outcome of the interaction, the conversation, at least I'd know it was true to myself.

I won't have to wonder 'what if' or wonder about what could have been.

What comes next after your vulnerability in your actions and words, is outside of your control.

Vulnerability is the price of living, loving, and experiencing fully.

And we're not talking about being unthoughtful or reckless in our actions or words.

Rather, it's about being brave, courageous, and not afraid to be vulnerable in our love.

To love is a risk taken.

To love means to risk it not being reciprocated.

But to take that risk also means connecting - human connection and opening our hearts to love - loving and being loved.

I think about it a lot - life is really just about love in the end, isn't it?

People and animals and love, love, and more love.

In the end, life is really all about love - giving love and receiving love; and to experience love, means being brave in being vulnerable.

When we open our hearts, that's when we allow ourselves to truly and fully experience love, all that love encompasses, and all that comes with it in human being vulnerability.

Sitting With Thoughts on love, life, and vulnerability

By Sitting With Ourselves

Words & Art by Sitting With Ourselves