Are you Ready for Wholehearted Living? Learn about The Gifts of Imperfection

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite authors, speakers, researchers and social workers: Brene Brown.  Brene stumbled onto the world stage when her 2010 TED talk “The Power of Vulnerability” exploded (and is now one of the most-viewed TED talks ever), but her first book about shame resilience was published in 2007.  Brene has furthered her research and published subsequent books, collaborations on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday and education of helping professionals.  She even started a podcast last year, coinciding with the start of the pandemic and providing much needed encouragement during that time of uncertainty. 

Who the heck is Brene Brown?

Brene conducts qualitative research about the subjects of shame, resilience and intentional living.  She then analyzes the incoming data and shares specific trends and characteristics with her readers, distinguishing herself from other self-help authors who may have great ideas without the evidence base.  She educates with grace, humor and dignity and combines the information she is sharing with her own personal experiences, including her own resistance to vulnerability and applying these lessons herself.

What are the Gifts of Imperfection?

In her previous work, Brene has taught us about the powerful emotions of guilt and shame and the difference between them – guilt is “I made a mistake” and shame is “I am a mistake.”  These powerful emotions wreak havoc on our identity and during her interviews with hundreds of people, she learned about characteristics of people who were more resilient to shame.  She calls this Wholehearted living, opening The Gifts with “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.”

To practice Wholehearted living and build worthiness, we must practice courage, compassion and connection – the gifts of imperfection.  We experience these gifts through vulnerability and thus reduce the “shame gremlins.”  Brene teaches us to DIG deep and get: Deliberate in thoughts and behaviors; Inspired to make new and different choices; and Going, taking action.  Most chapters use this framework to put Brene’s concepts into action.

Favorite Quotes from The Gifts of Imperfection

“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”

“Courage originally meant "To speak one's mind by telling all one's heart.”

“We cannot ignore our pain and feel compassion for it at the same time.”

“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It's our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”

“Worthiness doesn't have prerequisites.”

Want more Brene Brown?

 Check out Brene’s website to learn more about her current projects, get the link for her podcast and for the bookworms – check her “library” section that has her book recommendations!   

There are several reading guides and book club handouts out there.  This one from her website has some thought-provoking questions to further your reading.

Want to watch some of her other talks? Check out this playlist.

Check out some great quotes from the book and get your fill about vulnerability, courage, compassion and authenticity.

Ready to take steps toward Wholehearted living?

Want to talk more about your imperfections? Contact Kara to schedule an appointment! Don’t hesitate to call or email now!