Out of the blue, I thought of two arcade games I haven’t played in 20ish years this week.  A conversation from months ago kept playing in my head. In the conversation, my friend shared a moment of vulnerability with me. Somehow, the games remind me of what it feels like to be vulnerable.

I stood there holding a giant plastic mallet. Others before me played the game, so I understood the premise. Whack the little moles with the mallet as they pop up randomly from the board in front of me. Points accrued according to how many moles I successfully whacked. Turns out I’m bad at whacking moles.

I played Whacky Gator on occasion too. The game has the same premise – bop the gators on the nose as they pop out in front of you. When you are successful, they shout “OW!” That always hurt my heart.

Animals make me happy. Whacking, bopping, or inflicting them with pain of any kind, real or imagined, is not my idea of fun. In fact, I feel sad for animals I find squished on the road. I am that person that will stop traffic so the creature can find its way off the road. Also, I talk to any animal I pass. Ask anyone close to me. They have all witnessed the spectacle.

Just yesterday, Hubby Guy and I went on a hike to a waterfall. Lots of people had dogs with them. I spoke to every single dog. There were so many that, at one point, I started feeling ridiculous. I commented to Hubby Guy that I realize I always speak to the animals and rarely do I speak to the people.

Maybe it’s just me, but socializing with animals feels easier. An animal may shy away, but chances are it won’t say something insensitive. It also isn’t likely to judge you. The same simply isn’t true about people. Too many people are quick to whack or bop a person who shows vulnerability.

Socialization requires vulnerability, especially if your personality type is not energized by contact with people. I fit solidly in one of those personality types. Peopleing takes effort for me. Can anyone relate to this?

Here lies the rub: I recognize that to fulfill my purpose, people will be involved. Our talents, gifts, and abilities are for other people more than they are for ourselves. Writing is enjoyable for me, but my purpose is achieved when my writing impacts someone else.

Whac-A-Mole came to mind when I thought about my friend’s vulnerability because I understood how she felt. I know that feeling of wanting to put myself out there but fearing someone is waiting to whack me with a mallet of discouragement or one-upmanship.

Like Whacky Gator, I know the feeling of wanting to say something but fearing someone will bop my nose with a harsh comment. More than one time in my life I have retreated in pain from the words of another person.

Do you know what I did, not long after that conversation with my friend? I knelt and peered over the edge of her hiding place. I offered to help and support her efforts to do the thing she shared with me. Simple, right? Her nose did not get bopped. Instead, she received encouragement and a helping hand. What happened afterward encouraged me to try harder to recognize moments of shared vulnerability. In my experience, people appreciate it when you lovingly peer into their hiding place to offer encouragement.

Think of that thing that you would love to do but are afraid to do. It’s that dream that feels impossible that you probably don’t share with many or anyone at all. I want to encourage you. I am going to go ahead and peer over into your hiding place and lock eyes with you. This world needs what you have to offer.

First, by all means, share your gifts, talents, and abilities with others. An author I particularly enjoy, Bob Goff, likes to say, “There’s always room for more.” There will never be too many singers, writers, painters, etc.  Likewise, there can’t be too many encouragers, bringers of joy, listening ears, or speakers of life. Whatever it is…. Go do it!

Second. Sure, some level of fear accompanies any level of vulnerability. But we can help each other out with that. Will you join me in paying better attention? I want to do a better job of encouraging the people in my life to pursue their purpose. When we pay attention and learn to recognize vulnerabilities, we can then offer support and encouragement. We can put down our mallets and work, instead, on building people up.