The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings on Authenticity, Connection and Courage by Brene Brown

Dr Brene Brown has become one of my new favourite people. Ever since I watched her TED Talk titled The Power of Vulnerability, I’ve been hooked on the knowledge and wisdom she shares. She has spent over a decade researching the topic of vulnerability which she would define as “uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure.” She’d further say that vulnerability is not either a good or bad emotion but rather the essence to all emotions that when understood and cultivated will allow us to walk into a greater sense of meaning, purpose and joy in life.

Brene presents an entire course on the topic of vulnerability in this audiobook. In it, she brilliantly covers her insights and research on this topic and shares lessons and practices that we can use to bring vulnerability to the forefront of our lives. Instead of allowing vulnerability block out negative emotions such as fear, shame, or uncertainty we can use it to breathe more good feelings into our lives, love and happiness.

Brene describes that people who can lead their lives from a place of vulnerability are wholehearted. They are aware of how vulnerability plays a role in their lives and self-awareness. They can work to defeat the limiting behaviours and self-defeating shields and boundaries they put up and as a result to discover a more abundant life.

One of the highlights from her TED talks that has stuck with me since was how Brene described the act of numbing emotions. As repeated in this audio course she states that “we are the most in debt, obese, addicted, medicated adult cohort in history.” The reason being is that we try to numb our emotions in the face of vulnerability. She went on to further explain that, “we cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.” Pointless, wouldn’t you agree?

When we are vulnerable, we are better able to feel all emotions. The positive ones are what makes us feel alive, and I’d even say being able to experience the negative once entirely, those that may bring risk, uncertainty, exposure and uncomfortableness, are also beneficial to our well-being and those of others we hand around.

Operating from a place of vulnerability has many benefits. Firstly, I believe it is a more natural state of being. It encourages us to live into authenticity, and this is a much more pleasant way to live life. Hiding behind our masks of vulnerability causes us not only mental anxiety and unease but is also associated with any limiting behaviours. These are the methods we use to battle shame, fear and exposure that are harmful to ourselves and often less of caring, empathetic and grateful towards others and life itself.

Vulnerability brings more power into our lives. It is the essence of authentic self-expression. The gateway to creativity, belongingness, love, significance, love, freedom and happiness. Brene shares ten guideposts that when understood and practised can help us cultivate a “wholehearted” life – the key to an engaged and purposeful existence.

The guideposts are fantastic, and as Brene brings humour and authenticity to the entire program, they are so easily understood and absorbed. I will refrain from sharing each one, but perhaps just one and that is how we naturally tend to forebode joy instead of being comfortable with joy.

If joy is the one emotion that we all desire more and the state of being that I believe motivates most of us in all that we do in life why then do we attempt to move out of joyful moments and experiences instead of being in them? Brene explains this in her book and goes on to suggest that when we practice gratitude, we can better experience the compelling benefits of joy.

One of my favourite books of 2017 and has inspired me to dive into more of Brene Brown’s other works including Daring Greatly, another book of hers I am currently listening. I gained from this audio course that I think you will, too. Enjoy!

If this book sounds of interest you can purchase The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings on Authenticity, Connection and Courage here.

Please leave your thoughts, comments & questions below.

Peace, passion and purpose…

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