The Gifts of Imperfection

by

Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown.

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Briefest Summary.

  • You are good enuf. Just as you are. Flawed & imperfect, as you are human, but on a journey, a heroes journey, in which you are the Star & the Author.
  • Courage, compassion, and connection – TED talks: Listening to shame. And the second: The Power of Vulnerability. Plus, her great web site: brenebrown.com.
  • You can either go thru life in a half arsed, blaming, victim sort of way, or you can live Wholeheartedly, Joyfully, Resiliently and try really hard to become in actuality what you are in potentiality. It really is your choice, every moment of every day whilst alive. This is a Process, not a destination to be reached or acheived.
  • Brenee crosses out the phrase Breakdown and replaces it with Spiritual Evolution. I refer to it as a Midlife Evolution, and I’ve had two really big ones.
  • The Ten Guideposts are interrelated & intertwined, and you need to PRACTICE* them individually & together –
    • Guidepost #1 – Authenticity: Letting Go of What People Think, cos nobody is looking or cares anyway, they are too wrapped up in themselves.Guidepost #2 – Self-Compassion: Letting Go of Perfectionism, be Optimalist instead, aim for perfection, knowing full well you will never achieve it, but will be bloody good in the process.

      Guidepost #3 – a Resilient Spirit: Letting Go of Numbness and Powerlessness, you are the Boss & Author of the story of your life.

      Guidepost #4 – Practice* Gratitude and Joy. Scarcity mentality and Fear of the Dark are not going to lead you to good places.

      Guidepost #5 – Intuition and Trusting your gut. Certainty is a bit of a myth, let it go and enjoy the ride.

      Guidepost #6 – Letting Go of Comparison. It is You competing against You, no one else. Be better than yesterday. Prepare yourself to face tomoro.

      Guidepost #7 – Play and Rest. Get the balance right, Buddhist Middle Path. Sleep, Move, Eat. Productivity is all well & good, but it is a Means not an End in itself.

      Guidepost #8 – Calm and Stillness. Let Go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle. Meditate. Breathe. Spend time in Nature

      Guidepost #9 – Meaningful Work: Letting Go of Self-Doubt and “Supposed To”. It’s bloody hard work leaving behind the programming, but figure out what your gifts are, then give them.

      Guidepost #10 – Laughter, Song, and Dance. Let Go of Being Cool & “Always in Control”. Be prepared to look ‘toopid, it’s fun & part of the learning/life experience.

 

*A practice (as a noun) can be anything you practice on a regular basis as an integral part of your life—not in order to gain something else, but for its own sake… For a master, the rewards gained along the way are fine, but they are not the main reason for the journey. Ultimately, the master and the master’s path are one. And if the traveler is fortunate—that is, if the path is complex and profound enough—the destination is two miles farther away for every mile he or she travels.”  George Leonard