Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
When author Brené Brown uses the term “daring greatly,” she refers to the phrase from Theodore Roosevelt’s 1910 speech, “Citizenship in a Republic.” In the speech Roosevelt encourages citizens to try to do their best, and that even though they may fail, they have dared greatly. It is a wonderful, inspiring speech, and throughout her book, Brown refers to the concept of vulnerability, of being engaged, of being all in, no matter the consequences. In other words, “daring greatly.”
Vulnerability is not a comfortable state. You’re exposed and open to scrutiny. But to live life, to be engaged, vulnerability is necessary. Vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage.
The book helps readers identify what is important in life and how we can connect wholeheartedly with our families, work associates, and friends. In order to live a more meaningful life, we need to step into the arena, rather than stand on the outside and look in.
Daring Greatly is an enlightening mixture of hard-core research (Brené Brown, Ph.D. is a research professor at the University of Houston) and kitchen-table chats. It’s a fascinating book about every-day living. Sometimes it is easy to get side-tracked when determining what is important in life. Our “never enough” society makes its demands, often pulling us away from the core of what we really want, what we really need, out of life.
Brown identifies shame, fear, and vulnerability, and encourages readers to embrace these feelings in order to live wholehearted lives. She doesn’t say it’s easy, but suggests that the way to a fulfilling life is to be fully engaged in all its aspects.
Daring Greatly is a remarkable book and fun to read. To learn more about Brené Brown and her work, visit http://brenebrown.com/
I like that idea of daring greatly. Sort of like nothing ventured nothing gained, and you won’t get anywhere if you won’t take risks, and give it your all. I’ll look the book up on Amazon. Thanks, Mary.
Eunice, I learned a lot about myself in this book.