My dear friend and client Honoré gifted me the book The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown.
The caption on the cover below the title reads "Your Guide To A Wholehearted Life." What’s that I wondered? The back cover offers that the author “…shares ten guideposts on the power of Wholehearted living—a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.”
A place of worthiness? Hmmmm. Don’t I do that? Aren’t I authentic, positive, connected, and see the giftedness of life? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. But what about those human ‘bean’ moments (as SARK calls them) when I feel guilty and undeserving? I’ve experienced survivor’s guilt since mom died—I’m here and she’s not. I realize it’s not logical or justified but feelings of pain usually aren’t.
Over the past few years I have reinvented myself and my moments of fear, negativity, and guilt are less often than they were but I’m human and so they exist. I can say they don’t paralyze me as they once did and I am aware of my choices and behaviors, which is the first step to creating a new possibility. No doubt this book had me at its title—the ‘gifts’ of imperfection!
As I glanced at the contents these passages resonated with me:
From the Preface:
“How much we know and understand ourselves is critically important, but there is something that is even more essential to living a Wholehearted life: loving ourselves.”
From the Intro
“Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough. It’s going to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.”
Instead of “pushing through” or “sucking up” when I’m at the end of my rope I can learn to DIG Deep like people who live Wholeheartedly:
“They get
Deliberate in their thoughts and behaviors through prayer, meditation, or simply setting their intentions;
Inspired to make new and different choices;
Going. They take action.”
I shared my enthusiasm with my dear hubby and asked if he would be willing to read it together? He’s usually pretty open-minded but can be wary of the ‘self-help’ books I’m attracted to. We have started reading a chapter out-loud at lunch and already look forward to that focused time together and the great conversation it promotes! Thank you Honoré!
I’ve also been pondering my ‘one little word’ for my theme for 2011. Last year my word was release and that was spot on with my caretaking duties during my mom’s illness and death. I’m ready to heal and move forward and was instantly captured by the word wholehearted and so Jeff is making my OLW on his scroll saw to keep on my desk as a daily reminder to live and love from my whole heart.
Over the past few years I have reinvented myself and my moments of fear, negativity, and guilt are less often than they were but I’m human and so they exist.
Thanks for sharing Supra!