Top 10 take aways from “Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone” by Brene Brown
1. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to move forward in spite of it.
2. True belonging is found when we are able to be our authentic selves, even when it means being vulnerable.
3. Shame is the fear of disconnection. It is the feeling that we are not good enough and that we will be rejected if we let others see who we really are.
4. Vulnerability is the courage to be seen. It is the willingness to risk being hurt in order to connect with others.
5. The only way to overcome shame is to be open about our own experiences. When we share our stories, we allow others to see that they are not alone.
6. We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. The first step to creating a more courageous and authentic life is to start by changing our own beliefs and behaviors.
7. Connection is a choice. We can choose to connect with others, even when it is difficult. When we connect with others, we create a sense of belonging and purpose.
8. Courage is contagious. When we see others being courageous, it inspires us to be courageous ourselves.
9. The journey to courage is not always easy, but it is worth it. When we are courageous, we are able to live our lives to the fullest.
10. We are all capable of courage. We just need to find the courage to be ourselves.
II. Takeaway 1
The first takeaway from “Braving the Wilderness” is that true belonging is not about fitting in. It’s about being your authentic self, even when it’s not easy. Brown argues that we all have a need to belong, but that this need can sometimes lead us to suppress our true selves in order to fit in with others. This can be harmful to our mental health and well-being.
To achieve true belonging, we need to be willing to be vulnerable and to share our true selves with others. This can be scary, but it’s also essential for creating deep and meaningful relationships. When we allow ourselves to be seen and known for who we really are, we open ourselves up to the possibility of being loved and accepted for who we are.
Brown’s work on belonging is a powerful reminder that we don’t have to change who we are in order to be accepted. We can be our authentic selves and still find love, belonging, and community.
Takeaway 3
We all have a “Brené Brown” inside of us. We all have the capacity for courage, vulnerability, and shame. The difference is that Brown has been brave enough to explore these parts of herself and to share her journey with the world. By doing so, she has helped us to understand ourselves better and to live more authentically.
Takeaway 4
We all have a “Brené Brown” inside of us. We all have the capacity for courage, vulnerability, and shame. The difference is that Brene Brown has been brave enough to share her story with the world, and in doing so, she has helped us to understand ourselves better.
If you are feeling lost, alone, or afraid, I encourage you to read Brene Brown’s book “Braving the Wilderness.” It is a book that will change your life.
Takeaway 5
We all have a “bravery gap” between the things we want to do and the things we actually do. The courage to close this gap is what allows us to live our lives to the fullest.
Brown encourages us to identify our own bravery gaps and to take steps to close them. This may involve taking risks, facing our fears, and speaking our truth. It may also involve learning to set boundaries, say no, and take care of ourselves.
Closing our bravery gap is not easy, but it is worth it. When we do, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and experiences, and we live our lives with greater purpose and meaning.
VII. Takeaway 6
We all have the capacity for courage, but it takes practice to develop it. Brown suggests that we can practice courage by:
- Taking risks and stepping outside of our comfort zones
- Standing up for what we believe in, even when it’s unpopular
- Being honest with ourselves and others about our feelings
- Forgiving ourselves and others
- Learning to love and accept ourselves, flaws and all
When we practice courage, we not only become more resilient, but we also become more connected to ourselves and to others. We learn to live our lives with authenticity and integrity, and we find the courage to stand up for what we believe in.
Takeaway 7: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to move forward in spite of it.
Brown argues that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to move forward in spite of it. She writes, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move ahead in spite of it. Courage is the choice to step into the unknown, even when it’s scary.”
This is an important takeaway because it challenges the traditional view of courage as being something that is easy or effortless. Brown’s definition of courage reminds us that courage is not about being fearless, but about facing our fears and taking action anyway.
When we are faced with a difficult or scary situation, it is easy to give up and stay in our comfort zone. However, Brown’s definition of courage reminds us that courage is about taking action, even when it’s hard. If we want to live a full and meaningful life, we need to be willing to face our fears and step into the unknown.
Takeaway 8
We all have the capacity for courage, but it’s not always easy to access. When we’re faced with challenges, it’s tempting to give up or hide away. But Brown argues that courage is about showing up, even when we’re scared. It’s about taking risks and trying new things, even if we’re not sure how they’ll turn out.
Brown encourages us to embrace our courage and to use it to create a life that’s meaningful and authentic. She believes that when we’re courageous, we’re not only better for ourselves, but we’re also better for the world.
Takeaway 9: Courage is contagious
Brown argues that courage is contagious. When we see others being courageous, it inspires us to be courageous ourselves. This is why it’s so important to be brave and to show our vulnerability. When we do, we’re not only helping ourselves, but we’re also helping others to find their courage.