“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
― Brene Brown
This quote by Brené Brown, from her book “Daring Greatly,” explores the concept of vulnerability and its profound impact on our lives.
First, what does it mean to “own our story”? It means accepting and embracing all parts of ourselves – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s about being honest with ourselves and others about who we are, where we’ve been, and what we’ve experienced.
It’s not always easy to do this. We might feel ashamed of certain parts of our story, or worry that others will judge us if they knew the truth. So we hide those parts away, put on a facade, and try to present a perfect image to the world.
But as Brené points out, running from our story is even harder in the long run. When we deny parts of ourselves, we create a sense of disconnect and inauthenticity. We might feel like we’re living a lie, or that we can’t fully be ourselves around others. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
Embracing our vulnerabilities, on the other hand, is scary but ultimately liberating. When we allow ourselves to be seen, really seen, by others – flaws and all – we open ourselves up to true connection and belonging. We give others the opportunity to love and accept us for who we are, not just the shiny, curated version we present to the world.
But embracing vulnerability is risky. It means opening ourselves up to the possibility of rejection, heartbreak, and disappointment. It means admitting that we don’t have it all figured out, that we make mistakes, that we have weaknesses and insecurities.
However, Brené argues that the alternative – giving up on love, belonging, and joy – is far more dangerous. These are the experiences that give life meaning and purpose. They’re what make us feel alive and connected to something greater than ourselves. When we numb ourselves to vulnerability, we also numb ourselves to these positive emotions and experiences.
Finally, Brené encourages us to be brave enough to explore our darkness – the parts of ourselves and our stories that we might rather keep hidden. It’s only by facing our fears, our shame, and our pain that we can truly heal and grow. It’s in the darkness that we find our light – our strength, our resilience, our authenticity.
This isn’t easy work. It requires courage, self-reflection, and a willingness to sit with discomfort. But as Brené points out, the rewards are infinite. When we own our stories and embrace our vulnerabilities, we open ourselves up to a life of love, belonging, and joy. We discover our true power and potential.
So my challenge to all of you today is to take a step towards owning your story. Share a vulnerability with someone you trust. Admit a mistake or weakness. Allow yourself to be seen, really seen, by others. It might be scary, but it’s also incredibly brave. And it just might change your life.
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