Vunlerability : The human need to be seen

Arrival(2016) : Louise removing her protective
 suit to show herself to the aliens.

           At one point in the movie Arrival(2016), where humans are trying to communicate with the aliens who landed on earth, Louise removes her suit and says "They need to see me!!" . Being vulnerable is extremely important in establishing strong meaningful connections. Vulnerability is not weakness, it just means to allow being seen. "Being vulnerable is not displaying your weakness, it means letting know you are normal, imperfect, prone to mistakes like anybody else but still worthy of love and belonging". Its a remarkable feature of being human". Vulnerability provides the capacity to build stronger connections and great relationships.      

Arrival(2016) : Louise moving towards
the screen in an attempt to connect meaningfully
with the aliens.

           However, one needs to be vulnerable to an extent appropriate to the situation, just the right amount depending on the people we are interacting with. Being too vulnerable can at times be potentially dangerous, you risk shaming yourself, providing opportunities to others to control you, make fun of you or misuse you. Sharing your extreme irresistibly towards ice-cream can lead a hawker to sell ice-cream at higher price since they are convinced you will buy from them. Conveying your urgent need of garments for an event to a salesperson can cause him to take undue benefits from you. Talking publicly about your misfortune can be more harmful than helpful. At times, it can scare others, make them feel awkward or obliged to reciprocate back by sharing about themselves and cause them to avoid you completely. However, sharing the right amount is the key. Letting the ice-cream hawker know that you like ice-cream can make him feel more important. You may get better service (e.g making sure to check if you need ice-cream whenever he is passing by)  or receive some great offers for being his regular customer. Similarly, talking about your misfortune to a close friend or loved one who knows you well enough can be very helpful. Expressing your feelings in healthy way will make you more comfortable, also make your friend feel trustworthy and strengthen the relationship bond between both. It also lets him know that you can be trusted, and misfortunes are part of everybody's life.

Arrival(2016) :Louise touches the screen and the alien
reciprocates by doing the same.

             In summary, meaningful relationships are formed and strengthened when the extent of vulnerability is just appropriate. In any case, an individual learns to establish this right balance only through trying, practicing and experimenting what works and what doesn't. With more and more experiences without judgement and evaluation, one can easily learn to strike the balance. People who think in black-and-white (all or none thinking) can have extreme trouble understanding and establishing this balance. When in distress, they may become vulnerable to strangers causing them more damage. Or otherwise try to hide their feelings within themselves leading to an unhealthy outburst of anger and emotions. Hiding feelings from close people can make them feel unimportant and cause damage to existing relationships.