Brené Brown: We live in a world where most people still subscribe to t...

Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.

Brené Brown

practice letting-go thinking

I've come to this belief that, if you show me a woman who can sit with a man in real vulnerability, in deep fear, and be with him in it, I will show you a woman who, A, has done her work and, B, does not derive her power from that man. And if you show me a man who can sit with a woman in deep struggle and vulnerability and not try to fix it, but just hear her and be with her and hold space for it, I'll show you a guy who's done his work and a man who doesn't derive his power from controlling and fixing everything.

Brené Brown

real struggle men

Don't try to win over the haters; you are not a jackass whisperer.

Brené Brown

daring-greatly winning trying

People may call what happens at midlife 'a crisis,' but it's not. It's an unraveling - a time when you feel a desperate pull to live the life you want to live, not the one you're 'supposed' to live. The unraveling is a time when you are challenged by the universe to let go of who you think you are supposed to be and to embrace who you are.

Brené Brown

live-life letting-go motivational

Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.

Brené Brown

motivation light brave

Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.

Brené Brown

courage running inspirational

When we deny our stories, They define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.

Brené Brown

deny stories writing

Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we're all in this together.

Brené Brown

reminders imperfection together

Raising children who are hopeful and who have the courage to be vulnerable means stepping back and letting them experience disappointment, deal with conflict, learn how to assert themselves, and have the opportunity to fail. If we’re always following our children into the arena, hushing the critics, and assuring their victory, they’ll never learn that they have the ability to dare greatly on their own.

Brené Brown

disappointment mean children

Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness.

Brené Brown

empathy parenting courage

Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable. It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need. To talk about how you're feeling. To have the hard conversations.

Brené Brown

mindfulness feelings mean

Joy is not a constant. It comes to us in moments - often ordinary moments. Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we're too busy chasing down the extraordinary moments. Other times we're so afraid of the dark we don't dare let ourselves enjoy the light. A joyful life is not a floodlight of joy. That would eventually become unbearable. I believe a joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together by trust, gratitude and inspiration

Brené Brown

gratitude inspiration believe

I define 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.

Brené Brown

motivational inspirational friendship

Healthy striving is self-focused: "How can I improve?" Perfectionism is other-focused: "What will they think?"

Brené Brown

healthy self thinking

The willingness to show up changes us, It makes us a little braver each time.

Brené Brown

daring-greatly shows littles

Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver. And our world could stand to be a little kinder and braver.

Brené Brown

our-world littles world

Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.

Brené Brown

daring-greatly overcoming-fear showing-up

Belonging starts with self-acceptance. Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you're enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect. When we don't have that, we shape-shift and turn into chameleons; we hustle for the worthiness we already possess.

Brené Brown

positive-thinking acceptance believe

Wholehearted living is not like trying to reach a destination. It's like walking toward a star in the sky. We never really 'arrive,' but we certainly know that we're heading in the right direction.

Brené Brown

stars sky trying

At the end of my life I want to be able to say I contributed more than I criticized.

Brené Brown

able ends want

We live in a world where most people still subscribe to the belief that shame is a good tool for keeping people in line. Not only is this wrong, but it’s dangerous. Shame is highly correlated with addiction, violence, aggression, depression, eating disorders, and bullying.