Book: "The Gifts of Imperfection"

I realized why I love this blog so much.

I just finished "reading a book" (listening to an audiobook) called, "The Gifts of Imperfection Let Go of Who you Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are" by Brene Brown. I loved this book. I will probably listen to it again. I started out by taking notes. One saturday morning, as I knelt beside my bed trying to take down the latest nugget of wisdom, I realized that I was never going to get my room cleaned. ever.... if I kept trying to take notes. So I conceded to just listening and hoping the most important parts would sink in, way down deep.

Although this book is about embracing who you are and living a wholehearted life, Dr Brene Brown's research focuses on shame. Her book draws the connection between shame and feelings of imperfection and not being enough. (something I have always struggled with)

here are just a few of my notes:

Practice courage, compassion, connection = worthiness
Steps for shame resilience:
1) name it
2) talk about it
3) own your story
4) share your story
Authenticity = Embracing who we are. Letting go of who we think we should be.

My reasons for this blog are purely selfish and self serving. There is something so therapeutic and healing about sharing your story. It's owning who I really am and embracing myself in all of my imperfections. It's being honest about who I am and my story. It's letting go of the shame that comes with telling others my feelings, fears, what makes me sad, what I want most of all. (that and I think there is a lot of funny stuff that happens in my dating life. hahahah!)

I also think that in embracing and owning who I am, it gives permission to others to cut the crap, stop putting on the front that they are perfect and have perfect lives, and be honest and own who they are. It gives permission to say, "I'm sad today," when someone asks how we are. It's being able to say, "things aren't turning out the way I wanted, but I hope it turns out for the best in the end." It gives permission to say "I'm unhappy in my marriage. I'm scared and I need someone to listen." "I'm frustrated with my kids, and I don't know what to do." It's being able to say, "I have this great opportunity and I'm trying not to get too excited but I really hope it works out." We can have more compassion for ourselves and others and know that we are all doing the best that we know how. It opens up the doorway for deeper connection and compassion and love.