Daring Greatly

Last year, I observed a flood of activity on my Twitter feed about TEDx Detroit. Tweeps were buzzing about securing much coveted tickets to this spectacular event. I had no idea what they were talking about.

TED who?

That night, I plugged TEDx into Google. A video featuring Brené Brown appeared in the search results.

After listening to her insight on vulnerability, I spared not a second more and immediately reserved 10 tickets to TEDx Detroit.

That’s my dad in the above photo.

The event was extraordinary! Several awesome speakers took the stage and inspired the masses with great storytelling and innovative ideas. If TED comes to a town near you, I recommend attending.

TEDx is the reason I began following Brené’s work. I read her blog regularly and recently purchased a few copies of her new book, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead. So many of the ideas she shares in her book resonate with me. She writes so beautifully and speaks to my heart. Here are just a few of my favorite excerpts from Daring Greatly:

It’s a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands. The people who love me and will be there regardless of the outcome are in arms reach.

If we want freedom from perfectionism, we have to make the long journey from “What will people think?” to “I am enough”.

If we want our children to love and accept who they are, our job is to love and accept who we are.

I love Brené’s section on parenting. She talks about why parents are so critical of one another. “We latch on to a method or approach and very quickly our way becomes the way. When we obsess over our parenting choices to the extent that most of us do, and then see someone else making different choices, we often perceive that difference as direct criticism to how we are parenting.”

Brené challenges us to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly, and to courageously engage in our lives. If you get the chance to read Daring Greatly, I’d love to know: what are your favorite quotes?