©2016 Acadsoc Limited

Free Talk with Topic III

Lesson 48
 Vulnerability
*vulnerability: the state of easily being physically or
emotionally wounded or hurt

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 Vulnerability
Give a speech with
the following words:

scary
weakness
truth
courage
honest

1 “A person is, among all else, a material thing, easily torn and not easily mended.”
― Ian McEwan, Atonement
©2016 Acadsoc Limited
 Vulnerability
Give a speech with
the following words:

scary Possible answer:

weakness Vulnerability is scary. But it’s also a powerful and authentic way to live. We love
truth when others are open and honest with us. But when it comes time for us to share,
courage we sort of freak out. Suddenly, our vulnerability is a sign of weakness. For
honest instance, you just got a promotion at work. You’re excited and happy. But then,
bam, a wave of holy crap, I’m going to do something to screw this up washes
over you. Or it’s oh, no! what if the company goes bankrupt? That’s foreboding
1 joy. Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.
©2016 Acadsoc Limited * The student is not required to finish all the 3 speeches, and is encouraged to choose the words they like to give a speech.
 Vulnerability
Give a speech with
the following words:

help
wait
lay off
social
trust

2 “Because he could not afford to fail, he could not afford to trust.”

― Joseph J. Ellis, His Excellency: George Washington
©2016 Acadsoc Limited
 Vulnerability
Give a speech with
the following words:

help Possible answer:

wait
lay off There are different things make people feel vulnerable. Having to ask her husband
social for help because I'm sick, and they’re newly married; asking someone out; waiting
trust for the doctor to call back; getting laid off; laying off people; loneliness; needing
other people; illness; self-esteem; factors beyond his ability to predict; social
2 media; sharing her weaknesses; admitting his mistakes, falling in; trusting
someone for the first time.
©2016 Acadsoc Limited * The student is not required to finish all the 3 speeches, and is encouraged to choose the words they like to give a speech.
 Vulnerability
Give a speech with
the following words:

emotion
shame
fear
disappointment
grief

3 “You can change the world again, instead of protecting yourself from it.”
― Julien Smith, The Flinch
©2016 Acadsoc Limited
 Vulnerability
Give a speech with
the following words:
Possible answer:
emotion We live in a vulnerable world. And one of the ways we deal with it is we numb
shame vulnerability. The problem is that you can't numb those hard feelings without
fear numbing the other affects, our emotions. Here's vulnerability, here's grief, here's
disappointment shame, here's fear, here's disappointment. You cannot selectively numb. So
grief when we numb those, we numb joy, we numb gratitude, we numb happiness.
And then, we are miserable, and we are looking for purpose and meaning, and
3 then we feel vulnerable, so then we have a couple of beers and a banana nut
muffin. And it becomes this dangerous cycle.
©2016 Acadsoc Limited * The student is not supposed to finish all the 3 speeches, and is encouraged to choose the words they like to give a speech.
Selective Questions:
(*If all the 3 speeches above have been given already, you can choose to discuss the following questions.)

1. What makes you feel vulnerable?

2. If you know someone is vulnerable at the moment, what will you do?
3. Tell a story when you overcame one of your weaknesses.
4. What are the benefits of vulnerability?
5. Is it necessary to be vulnerable in a relationship? Why?

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 See you.

©2016 Acadsoc Limited