Happiness is something I’ve been intensely interested in, both from a research and from a cultural perspective. And one thing that consistently co-occurs with true happiness is the notion of authenticity — being, as the contrived but universally accurate saying goes, “true to ourselves.” This inevitably necessitates a degree of vulnerability with which most of us are conditioned to be uncomfortable.
Brené Brown’s fantastic TEDxHouston talk deconstructs vulnerability to reveal what she calls “wholeheartedness”: The capacity to engage in our lives with authenticity, cultivate courage and compassion, and embrace — not in that self-helpy, motivational-seminar way, but really, deeply, profoundly embrace — the imperfections of who we really are.
It’s the perfect way to start your week — enjoy.
In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen — really seen.
Brown’s new book, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, came out last month and is the most eloquent refutation of the “What will people think?” inner dialogue I’ve ever stumbled across.
