“Too many of us don’t live the life we truly want, because we are too concerned about the judgments of others…Let the haters & naysayers try and get in my way!”

– Colton Ford –

Ya’at’ééh,

Vulnerability isn’t something one is taught to showcase these days. Every day, it’s imposed that we keep chin up, stiff upper lip, grin & bear it and all that. At least, that’s what I was taught in the days after DADT & MY first boot falls into Leather.

These days, while I don’t advertise MY heart on MY sleeve, I do strive to show that, yes, I’M a Dom but I’M also human. Yes, I’M a Leatherman but that doesn’t mean MY heart is cold. I am vulnerable as any person to illness, heartbreak & abandonment. I don’t shy away from expressing MY vulnerabilities nor do I wear them draped over ME like a funeral shroud.

Vulnerability has its uses. Personally, it allows ME to access MY Authentic Self & keeps ME humble. While I’M not prone to flights of fancy when it comes to talking about MYSELF, accessing vulnerability affords ME the ability to relate to others & connect on personal levels. As a Staff Sergeant, showing that I could be vulnerable showed MY troops that I was not invincible. I’M not. MY bad knees & depression tell ME that daily.

Leading isn’t easy & while vulnerability expressed seems antagonal, it is necessary to move things forward. I’VE found that expressing MY Humanity propels MY ability to reach others. I am careful not to complain nor give others ways to cause ME harm. Vulnerability takes work to overcome, accept & express but it’s work toward a more Authentic State of Being.

Wherever you are in your journey, strive not to hide from your vulnerabilities. Work to address them & use them to fortify your spirit, your story. You’re worth it, don’t you forget that.

Yours In Leather
SIR Aaron Wolf