as a recovering perfectionist
I still remember the first time I read this book
I had chills feeling as if she was writing about me
I admire Brene for her courage to be vulnerable
Her ten guideposts for wholehearted living
were the lighthouse while swimming in the darkest seas
Cultivate authenticity - let go of what people think about you
Cultivate self-compassion - let go of perfectionism
Cultivate resilient spirit - let go of numbing and powerlessness
Cultivate gratitude and joy - let go of scarcity
Cultivate intuition and trusting faith - let go of the need for certainty
Cultivate creativity - let go of comparison
Cultivate play and rest - let go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth
Cultivate calm and stillness - let go of anxiety as a lifestyle
Cultivate meaningful work - let go of self-doubt and "supposed to"
Cultivate laughter, song, and dance - let go of being cool and "always in control"
For someone like me who had enough of perfectionism
these were like what ten commandments were for the Hebrews
Her study goes along with what C.G.Jung said about construction, deconstruction, reconstruction, and what Richard Rohr said about the second half of life
Along with her "The Power of Vulnerability" "I Thought It Was Just Me,"
"The Gifts of Imperfection" certainly stands as a landmark in my journey of transformation
some quotes
"Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame. It's a shield. It's a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it's the thing that's really preventing us from flight."
"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 love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn't come with guarantees--these are the risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. But, I'm learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude, and grace."
Although she's a research scholar not a theologian, I'm more inspired by her insights and wisdom for leadership from the recent books "Dare to Lead" and "Braving the Wilderness."
The Power of Vulnerability, Ted Talk by Brene Brown
