The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
by Andi · 14 things on NewTwos
- The author is a shame and fear researcher
- If we want to know why we're all so afraid to let our true selves be seen and known, we have to understand the power of shame and fear. If we can't stand up to the 'never good enough', we can't move forward
- Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do
- Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, 'No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough'
- You know when you're void of energy, too bone-tired to do anything, but push through? Called dig deep. The author says you should dig deep in a different way - DIG - Deliberate in your thoughts and behaviors, Inspired to make new and different choices, Going (taking action)
- Only when we're brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light
- You get courage by courageous acts. It's like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn courage by couraging
- The better we are at accepting ourselves and others, the more compassionate we become
- If we really want to practice compassion, we have to start by setting boundaries and holding people accountable for their behavior
- Shaming and blaming without accountability is toxic to couples, families, organizations
- Connection: the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strenght from the relationship
- "Even our most routine encounters act as regulators in the brain, priming our emotions, some desirable, others not. The more strongly connected we are with someone emotionally, the greater the mutual force" - Daniel Goleman
- Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help
- To practice courage, compassion, and connection is to look at life and the people around us, and say "I'm all in"