Please allow me to introduce you to the work of Brene Brown, a vulnerability researcher and professor at University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, and leading expert on vulnerability, shame, authenticity and belonging. Brene’s work is based on thousands of interviews with men and women about their important relationships and experiences of connection. What stood out in her research findings was the importance of believing we are worthy of love and belonging, and the importance of owning and engaging our own vulnerability. She talks about the uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure (vulnerability) it takes to show up and let ourselves be seen, to love with no guarantee that someone will love us back, to feel joy even when well-aware something terrible could happen, and to believe we are enough. Brene describes this way of living as wholehearted living and suggests it will reignite passion and purpose in our lives.
“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’. It’s going to bed at night thinking, ‘Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging’.
I first became aware of Brene’s work three years ago via YouTube, and have followed her since. Her research findings and conclusions resonate with my own life and are consistent with what others have shared with me about theirs. She is an excellent communicator and I believe her work has great relevance for anyone wanting to live and love with their whole hearts. Here is a sampling of her work:
THREE BOOKS
The Gifts of Imperfection-Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace who You Are
Daring Greatly-How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead.
BLOG
TALK (20 minutes)
Connection, Belonging and Being Enough
ENJOY!
I like this! Living our life with our whole heart…and being with others with the same open place. Good stuff, thanks, Vicki.
Thank you, Tami! I’m glad you like what Brene has to say. Continued courage, compassion and connection to you!