The Gifts of Imperfections – Brené Brown
Courage: speaking honestly and openly about who we are, about what we’re feeling, and about our experiences (Good and bad) is the definition of courage.
Heroic courage is often about putting our life on the line. Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line. In today’s world, that’s pretty extraordinary.
Compassion: Compassion practice is daring. It involves learning to relax and allow ourselves to move gently toward what scares us.
One of the greatest (and least discussed) barriers to compassion practice is the fear of setting boundaries and holding people accountable.
Connection: Brene defines connection as 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 strength from the relationship.
Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but are very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves.
Fitting in v/s Belonging: Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to get accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.
Practicing Love and Belonging : Actions are as important as words are. How we behave every day is as important, if not more important, than saying “I love you” every day. That’s the difference between professing love and practicing love.
The gifts of imperfection will empower you with tools to accept your vulnerable side, let go of what others think, and focus on living meaningful life on your terms. You’ll find a different perspective on concepts like Perfectionism, Hope, Shame, Courage, Compassion, Connection, Play, Rest, self-doubt. A book of less than 150 pages will be worth your time.
