The gifts of imperfection

Includes bibliographical references.

1. Introduction: Wholehearted Living

2. Courage, compassion, and connection: the gifts of imperfection

3. Exploring the power of love, belonging, and being enough

4. The things that get in the way

Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we'd no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, What if I can't keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn't everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself? In The Gifts of Imperfection , BrenU Brown, Ph.D., a leading expert on shame, authenticity and belonging, shares what she's learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Livingo u a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness. In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough." And to go to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also braveo. And, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn't change the truth that I am worthy of love and belongingo. Each day we face a barrage of images and ideas-from society and the media-telling us who we should be. We are led to believe that if we look perfect, live perfect, and do everything perfectly, we'd no longer struggle with feelings of inadequacy. Ironically, it's the pursuit of perfection that fuels the message 'never good enough.' In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W., the leadinge xpert on shame, reveals that it is actually our imperfections and vulnerabilities that connect us to one another as human beings and make us who we are. Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we'd no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, What if I can't keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn't everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself? In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown shares what she's learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living -- a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness. In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough, and to go to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn't change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging. Brown reveals that it is actually our imperfections and vulnerabilities that connect us to one another as human beings and make us who we are. We are naturally drawn to those we view as authentic, real, and down-to-earth. It makes sense, then, that we should stop reaching for something 'better' and, instead, strive to be who we are, fully owning every aspect of ourselves. In this work, the author, a leading expert on shame, authenticity, and belonging, shares ten guideposts on the power of wholehearted living, a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness. Each day we face a barrage of images and ideas -- from society and the media -- telling us who we should be. We are led to believe that if we look perfect, live perfect, and do everything perfectly, we'd no longer struggle with feelings of inadequacy. Ironically, it's the pursuit of perfection that fuels the message 'never good enough.' In "The Gifts of Imperfection", Brené Brown, the leading expert on shame, reveals that it is actually our imperfections and vulnerabilities that connect us to one another as human beings and make us who we are.