How To Master Your Vulnerability

Brené Brown is an American scholar, author, and public speaker. She is the author of three #1 New York Times Bestsellers: The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, and Rising Strong. She is also the speaker of the most popular TED talks to date. “The Power of Vulnerability” is an eye-opener into what really holds so many of us back in life and what can truly help us find peace.

In March 2013, she appeared on Super Soul Sunday talking with Oprah Winfrey about her new book, Daring Greatly. The title of the book comes from Theodore Roosevelt’s speech “Citizenship in a Republic”, which is also referred as “The Man in the Arena” speech, given at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, on April 23, 1910.

Today, however, we’re going to focus on the famous TED talk that was so powerful and moving, she was invited back for a second (follow-up) talk that was just as powerful and life changing. Harnessing the power of the waxing moon in anticipation of the full moon on October 15th, it behooves you to heed Brené’s advice and learn to harness your vulnerable side.

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”

“Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.”

“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.”

“If you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment, and inexplicable grief.”

“Perfectionism is a self destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.”

“I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.”

“Numb the dark and you numb the light.”

“When we choose growth over perfection, we immediately increase our shame resilience. Improvement is a far more realistic goal than perfection. Merely letting go of unattainable goals makes us less susceptible to shame. When we believe “we must be this” we ignore who or what we actually are, our capacity and our limitations. We start from the image of perfection, and of course, from perfection there is nowhere to go but down.”

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

“Until we can receive with an open heart, we’re never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help.”

“The universe is not short on wake-up calls. We’re just quick to hit the snooze button.”