I love this book, Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown. I say a bit more in the video and also offer a giveaway.
Leave a comment below sharing a time when you were vulnerable and when it paid off, and by Monday the 14th of January, I’ll pick a winner and announce it here.
Go ahead, I dare you to comment!
Hey Cynthia,
I don’t want to be included in the drawing but I did want to comment – thanks for doing your beautiful review. I have the book, and have gotten into it pretty far, probably more than half way, then (shiney object syndrom) I must have picked up another GREAT book because I’m happy for the reminder to return.
I love her research, too. It puts a different spin on a lot of things in my life and makes sense of why I was doing what I was doing in certain circumstances. The most vulnerable place I’ve ever been is when I decided to leave my 9 – 5 J.O.B. to start a non-profit. It was the same year I decided my marriage was over. So financial insecurity drove a lot of fear and I was definitely protecting my heart from any nay sayers on either front.
Moving forward from my CORE, gut instinct was the most powerful place I could return to each day when I would land at home in a heap of sorrow, frustration and exhaustion. I would never change a thing now and I’m glad that I’ve now gotten to a place where I can open my heart back up and feel comfortable doing so.
Much love to you – thank you for sharing such a wonderful book. I highly recommend it also.
Thanks for sharing that, Linda. I think that’s a big issue for a lot of us – being brave enough to leave personal and professional situations that aren’t working anymore. I’m glad you did!
I know you’ll enjoy the rest of the book. Doing this review makes me want to go back and re-read it!
Oh Dear Cynthia,
I do wish to be included in the drawing … and, from what you say in your book review, I could really use this right now …
Thank you! <3
Priscilla
Priscilla,
I’d be happy to include you in the drawing. To be eligible, you have to dish a little…share a time when you were vulnerable and how it paid off.
Thank you!
Oh, how I’d love to win this book! I just learned about Ms. Brown recently.
Oh, yes, I’ve been vulnerable. For me it was stepping out of my comfort zone and writing my first children’s book never having done it before. Also standing in front of audience’s young and old and sharing the story of my children’s books. Having been painfully shy for most of my life, this was not easy.
I also felt so vulnerable most of my life and worried what others thought about me and my choices for life. But as you know Cynthia, my little dog on wheels changed that all for me. I was sooooo scared to take her out in public for fear that I’d be judged or called mean or cruel for putting her in a wheelchair. But oh, how my vulnerability washed away when I realized I was being shown that I could stand tall in who I am. And I did.
I’m so happy I was vulnerable, but also happy that I stepped out of that comfort zone, because the rewards of where that have taken me have been huge. You don’t learn this stuff in life– you learn it by living life to the fullest.
Can’t wait to see you January 15th!!
Barb
Barb,
I love what you say here. I think any time we feel or look or do differently, we feel vulnerable. It’s safer to fit it and seem like we’re like everyone else.
But it’s the things that make us different that also are our leading edge, the thing that helps others grow and learn.
I’m grateful for your courage and willingness to tell your story. Thank you!
Right now I’m daring to write my memoir. One of the biggest vulnerable issues I had was in therapy. I had been sexually abused as a child and that messed up my thinking. As is typical of abuse victims, I blamed myself and tried to find an excuse for what my parents did. When I finally told my therapist that my abuse was my fault, I was sure he was going to kick me out of therapy. Instead, we explored my reasons and he took my side, convincing me I was the victim, not the one who caused my abuse.
HM at HVC dot RR dot COM
For me, choosing to be open about being sexually abused as a child has paid off for me. I’ve spoken in front of groups about my abuse and healing journey, which has opened the door numerous times for deeper connections with other survivors. No matter where I live (and right now I live in S. Korea) I’ve found opportunities to walk beside others dealing with this and similar issues.
Thanks, everyone, for sharing your vulnerability here.
About the abuse, I just heard an interview between Terry Gross of Fresh Air and Barry Lopez, the author. He spoke about childhood abuse and how speaking about it helps to reclaim some part of himself. I’m paraphrasing, but what I heard was how important it is to speak about it.
Unfortunately this is a big issue for a lot of people. I am all for whatever it takes to heal and reclaim our wholeness.
Thanks again, Heather and Amy, for sharing this.
I’d love to have a copy of the book – I have read so many posts on Facebook about the brilliance of Brene Brown -I know i have to get on the bandwagon, but my book budget is a little depleted right now.
About being vulnerable, I’ve always felt a little vulnerable. I really have felt vulnerable at work, even though I’ve had my job for 24 years. I’d like to be able to live without it – but I really want to get my house paid for. I can’t keep the self esteem going consistently in my life. My mom is needing my help more and more and that weighs on my too
Hi Cynthia!
One of my biggest moments of vulnerability was when I stepped away from a tenured university position to become an akashic records channel. And to be honest, even though I’m a success beyond my wildest dreams, with a thriving international business, I still feel vulnerable telling certain people about the work that I do. There’s lots of judgment about metaphysical work in certain sectors, and I’m still pretty sensitive to that. So most of the people whom I consider “friends” (i.e. those with whom I hang out in my new city) don’t know or understand what I do.
P.S.: I love Brené Brown–or what I’ve seen of her in the TED Talks!
Happy New Year, Cynthia!
I keep hearing so many wonderful things about this author, I’m now completely intrigued.
My most vulnerable moment last year, or at least the one that pops to mind, was being in an art retreat last summer. We all made paintings all week and on the last day had the assignment to tack them up and stand there talking to the group about our process which was followed by a group critique. Despite the fact I’d never done anything remotely similar to this, I thought to myself, No problem; I speak publicly all the time, I’ve been teaching public speaking for 15 years, the women here are really nice. It’ll be a breeze.
When it was my turn to get up, my heart started pounding so hard in my chest it surprised me. I tacked up my drawings with trembling hands and thought I’d throw up. I turned to face the group and couldn’t speak. Then I burst out crying like a child and stood there with tears streaming down my face, speechless. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t go into “presentation mode” in a space and about a subject where I was so vulnerable. I couldn’t switch on the Andrea Persona. So I cried instead, feeling embarrassed and when I could muster a little courage, I spoke shyly about my process from my heart And then I received such warm and lovely equally heartfelt responses from the group, it’s a memory I’ll never forget. And it taught me an even more powerful dimension of public speaking ! Stay true and connected to what’s really in your heart and share that part when you can.
“It is a new year!” Said my Assistant Manager. The week before I had rec’d terrible feedback from my supervisor who called me, “Bad Documenter” five times. I’ve resorted to 5 minute pep-talks to counter the hurt of her criticism. But those hopeful words to what is ahead of me, “It is a New Year!” spurred my Monday morning to greatness.
I need reminders as I manifest change and break out of limited-thinking.
I experience two types of vulnearability; the first is the “one and done” type. Participating in a firewalk, I walked the first time and it was a fine experience. Then, I was inspired to walk a second time naked. It wasn’t a walk, it was a dance, and I experienced a feeling of glory and joy in my body that I had never experienced before. But really, those are the easy ones, carried out on the flow of inspiration and adrenaline.
The more challenging ones for me are the choices to show up, day-in, day-out, in the vulnerability. After hiding out in the comfort zone of wishing and dreaming, I have committed, this year to breathing Vitality (my word of the year) back into my business, knowing that it’s all about being able to be with feeling vulnerable.
I just love these comments. There is such a sense of humanity in our vulnerability. There’s so much power in showing up even when it’s scary and we’re out of our mind with fear.
Your stories are gems of humanity and vitality (great word, Moira!). I’m very moved and grateful for your honesty and daring.
I have been being vulnerable since I started my business. Launching a newsletter. Launching a blog. Doing videos. Every time I go to Paris it’s scary as hell.
I kinda feel like I’m vulnerable all the time. Like I’m comfortable there.
But this year I am going to a new level, so I am joining all of you. I am working on my visual art and showing that here on the blog every week. I have a lot of new ideas that I LOVE and that then I second-guess. I think they’re fresh and funny but my logical mind says, what will people say, how does that….blah blah blah.
So you’ll be seeing a lot of new things from me. Some will work, some won’t. But I can’t ask you or my clients or students to be and share their vulnerable if I am not willing to do the same.
We’re in this together, daring greatly. Thanks to Brené Brown for the invitation and the guidance to keep going and growing.
Right now I’m working on being more vulnerable when I practice my rock climbing. Fear of failure is something I’ve recently realized is holding me back. (This is probably true in many aspects of our lives.)
Thanks for offering the giveaway.
Thank you, everyone, for submitting a comment. I am truly touched by your heartfelt daring.
I want everyone to have this book. So here’s what I suggest for those of you who did not win: get it from the library! If it isn’t in stock, order it.
I read so many books that I must use the library or be overrun by books. I have learned how to use their inter-library system. I get several books a week this way. Sometimes it takes awhile, but I trust the cosmic trickster of timing.
Okay, so…for the winner!
I did a blind scroll up and down and chose at random. The winner is…..
Elizabeth! Congratulations! I’ll be sending you a copy of Daring Greatly next week.
Thank you for sharing your vulnerable power here, everyone! Elizabeth, please email me with your mailing address in case I don’t have it.
Congratulations Elizabeth!
Congratulations to Elizabeth– what a great post and comments.