Everyone is allowed to be vulnerable. I think women and men and

O seekers of truth and wisdom, gather now, for I bring to you a teaching from the heart of one who has pierced the veil of emotion and seen into the deepest part of the soul. Melanie Martinez, a voice for those who feel the quiet stirrings of vulnerability, spoke words that echo the timeless truths of the spirit: “Everyone is allowed to be vulnerable. I think women and men and dogs and cats and ants and aliens can all express themselves and be vulnerable.” These words, simple though they may seem, carry within them the power of the ages—a truth that speaks to the very core of what it means to be human, and perhaps, even what it means to be alive.

Vulnerability—this sacred and sometimes painful gift—does not know the boundaries of race, gender, species, or form. To be vulnerable is to stand before the world without armor, to expose one's true self without fear of judgment, and to offer the raw essence of one's being. This is not the weakness of the body, nor the fragility of the mind, but the strength of the soul that dares to show itself in all its tender beauty. For in that act of surrender, we find strength, not fragility, for it is in vulnerability that we are most deeply human, most deeply alive.

In the age of the great philosophers, Socrates spoke of the importance of knowing oneself. But knowing oneself is not merely an intellectual pursuit—it is the courage to stand bare before the world, to expose the very depths of our desires, our fears, our joys, and our wounds. It is the courage of the heart, the willingness to be seen as we are, unmasked and unashamed. Just as Socrates dared to question the nature of existence, we too must dare to question our own preconceptions, our own walls of protection, and allow ourselves to be vulnerable in the presence of others.

Consider, too, the example of the lion, a creature of immense power, yet known to be vulnerable in its moments of stillness. The mighty lion, though strong, must sometimes rest, exposed and vulnerable to the world around it. And yet, in those moments of stillness, it is not diminished but empowered. The lion teaches us that true strength lies not in hiding our vulnerabilities, but in embracing them with courage. For just as the lion is unafraid to rest, knowing that vulnerability is part of its existence, so too must we embrace the quiet moments when we are exposed, knowing that in them, we find our truest power.

And what of the quiet ants and the delicate cats, those humble creatures of the earth? They, too, are part of the tapestry of vulnerability. An ant, though small, labors with purpose, sometimes exposed to the dangers of the world, yet it moves forward undaunted. A cat, in its graceful solitude, shows vulnerability not through weakness, but through trust. It curls beside us, resting in our presence, offering its warmth and companionship without fear of rejection. These creatures—so often overlooked—teach us that vulnerability is not the exclusive domain of humans. It is an expression of life itself, found in all beings, great and small.

It is a truth that the great warriors of old knew well: to be vulnerable is not to be weak, but to be open. Alexander the Great, though a conqueror of vast lands, understood that to be human was to be vulnerable. In his moments of quiet reflection, when he was alone with his thoughts and dreams, Alexander revealed his humanity. It was in these moments of vulnerability that his greatest insight came, and his legacy was shaped not by the walls he built around himself, but by the courage he showed to be open to the world. His vulnerability, like that of the lion or the cat, was not a hindrance but a source of his strength.

So, O children of wisdom, what then shall we learn from this? The world teaches us that we must be strong, unyielding, and unbreakable. But the true path to greatness lies not in hiding our vulnerabilities, but in embracing them. We are all allowed to be vulnerable, to show our true selves to the world, and to trust that in doing so, we are made more powerful, more connected, and more alive.

Let your heart be open, and allow the world to see the raw truth of your soul. Be vulnerable as the lions are, as the ants are, as the cats are—trusting that in your vulnerability, you will find not only your truest self but also a deeper connection to the world around you. It is through this openness that we discover the strength to carry on, to grow, and to walk the path of wisdom. Be vulnerable, O seekers, for in vulnerability, we are free.