At some point the mask must come off and we have to answer to our higher selves for emotional well being. Dr. Brené Brown, an author and research professor at the University of Houston, has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.

There are four areas in our daily lives in which the power of vulnerability can help us step forward if we are willing to bring down the walls: relationship, work, community, and mind and body.

Vulnerability essentially is the uncertain fear of not knowing what will happen in these four areas. Interestingly, the more we learn and understand can allow realistic expectations associated with them. We are not of the business of getting hurt; we come at life with eyes wide open.

Here are 5 powers that walking into vulnerability sheds light on:

Super Power # 1 Gratitude It’s easy to hate life, become trapped in stoicism, or get easily jaded when we are ungrateful. Gratitude is needed but also empowering. When joy takes over gratitude builds no resentment and is a self-check on what matters most.

Super Power # 2 Self-awareness Vulnerability makes us more aware of who we are, who we are not, and makes clear our proximal distance to the reality of that. This understanding can help us see where the gaps are that need our attention. Self-awareness helps us to mind the gaps.

Super Power # 3 Intellectual Growth —Vulnerability enlightens us and develops the possibility of things unknown. Instead of hiding from the truth we seek answers. Failure is one of the biggest Achilles heals of the mind. Intellectual Growth builds on the capacity to overcome fear of failure in our professional and personal lives.

Super Power # 4 Emotional IQ — When we are vulnerable we accept that we need others and they need us. This opens us up to being receptive to listening and taking contextual clues when receiving feedback. Having a deepened sense of emotional intelligence can help us identify red flags early on. It’s okay to acknowledge the roll others play in our daily lives, however picking up on social and interpersonal cues will benefit in days ahead.

Super Power # 5 Affirms the need for our own existence — You matter…You should know that it’s not by chance that you are here. Vulnerability calls us to our purpose. This calling helps others to see us in our most genuine selves. When we acknowledge who we are others don’t seek to downgrade us, instead they can quickly recognize our real value. Focusing on your own strengths does not lead to overcompensating. When we affirm our value there’s no need to seek external validation.

To wrap up, go hug someone today. Allow room for vulnerability. Unleash these 5 Super Powers.