Brene Brown’s video on vulnerability hit me where I breathe. That simple. She touches on most of the themes – other than depression itself – that I’ve struggled with and written about for years. The big ones for me are shame, fear, the courage to step into life without knowing what to expect – the courage to be vulnerable.
She weaves them into her warm and funny style of presenting that makes her ideas immediately accessible. I’ve ordered her 2010 book that reflects her current thinking. Here’s the full title: The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
Let us know what you think.
it does take a lot to be vulnerable. i remember, it took me ages to come to terms with the fact that I was sick physcially and emotionally and needed taking care of. I didn’t like being “weak” or not in control of my mind. But once I made that leap – thats how I started getting better, battled depression face on, and learn that sometimes, it’s ok to be vulnerable, for that’s how I become more self aware of who I am
nochnoch
Hi, nochnoch –
That’s a great way to put it, that making the leap to admitting illness is to recognize that you’re not in complete control – of your mind or anything else. Isn’t it amazing that a change in the way you think of yourself – giving up the idea that you have to be a certain way in order to feel good about being you – can lead to such a breakthrough?
John
To be a little unkind, Brene gives a very polished presentation on imperfection. But then, she’s not perfect and I think has a way to go yet.
Hi, Evan –
It’s a lot easier to be a polished presenter than to let yourself be open to intimacy and overcome the risk of being hurt. I’ve been both an actor and a smooth presenter. Those roles let you step out of real life. You can evoke an emotional response from an audience yet you’ve controlled the script. You’re not taking a chance on the give and take of relationships. That’s the part that moved me the most – that by letting yourself be vulnerable, you find a more fulfilling life.
John