Imperfection. Vulnerability. Shame.
Three words that are difficult to discuss. But talking about the difficult stuff can help us discover our gifts.
In her book “The Gifts of Imperfection,” Brené Brown Ph.D., L.M.S.W. explains how courage, compassion, and connection serve as gifts.
After countless interviews and much research, Brené Brown has devised the theory of the Wholehearted journey. She calls it a journey of consciousness and choice. In the Wholehearted journey, we have to have the courage to tell our stories, feel the pain of others, and genuinely connect. Practicing courage, compassion, and connection will help us develop and/or improve our worthiness in return.
The journey begins with courage. This virtue is something that should be practiced daily. It takes courage to be imperfect, set boundaries, and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Courage leads to authenticity. It requires us to let go of what other people think.
Compassion is another aspect that should be practiced daily. Like courage, there is vulnerability in practicing compassion. Exercising compassion refrains from judgment and trying to fix something. It’s about being present and equal, sharing in the experience of any darkness or suffering. Brené Brown also discusses the equally important self-compassion. If we cannot cultivate compassion for ourselves, it would be difficult to be compassionate with others.
Connection to others should be constant and genuine. Needless to say, this is even more important in today’s social media and technology-driven society. Some great ways to stay connected to others are through laughter, song, and dance.
At the end of each chapter, Brené Brown provides some insight on digging deeper through a D(eliberate) I(nspired) G(et going) method. These are actionable steps to be deliberate with our intentions, look for inspiration, and get going by taking action.
Also, the 10 guideposts are provided to help us along the journey of Wholehearted living. For example, practicing gratitude on a daily basis is tied to joyful living. When we practice gratitude, it helps with feelings of scarcity and fear.
I view these as a guide to keep us on the courageous, compassionate, and connected path. It has been difficult to embrace my imperfections, but worth it.
Are you familiar with Brené Brown’s research work? Comment below and thanks for reading!
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Sachi Reads Daily 