I could whip through this book like a pint of my favorite ice cream because it’s just so good. I feel like it’s putting words to many of my thoughts and the confusing things that are happening in the world today. I find so much value in journaling after each chapter and diving deeper by asking myself these questions so that it sinks in and perhaps might change the way that I live and operate.
Here are my thoughts and questions on Chapter two. Let me know how this chapter impacted you.
- In her book “Gifts of Imperfections” Brene Brown says…”true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.” What words stick out to you in this sentence? Why do you think that is? Can you see a correlation to your level of self-acceptance and your level of feeling like you belong?
- In chapter two Brene talks a lot about our political climate and culture and likens it to a combat zone. She makes the point that we have forgotten that we are all connected by love and the human spirit and that essentially we are all part of the same spiritual story. This is the first time I have considered that my spiritual story is linked to someone else’s because of the fact that we are living at the same time and both humans. What are your thoughts on this and how did it impact you?
- In grounded theory, researchers try to understand what the “main concern” is of study participants. Pretend you are being interviewed by Brene Brown in a research study… what would your answers be to the folllowing: What are you most worried about in life? What are you trying to achieve? How and when have you felt spiritually disconnected?
- If spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is ground in love and compassion…..In your opinion, how is our culture spiritually disconnect?
- What does “belonging in your heart” look like for you individually?
- What do you think about the 4 challenges on page 36: 1) People Are Hard to Hate Close Up. Movie In. 2) Speak Truth to Bullshit. Be Civil. 3) Hold Hands. With Strangers. 4) Strong Back. Soft Front. Wild Heart….which one of these resonates with you the most. For me it was #2 because I have yet to figure out how to speak truth to bullshit, but I’m hoping once I find to courage to stand alone this will come more natural. I also had a moment this week that made me think of #1…someone left me a snarky comment on social media that hurt, but clearly they had no idea who I was as evidenced by what they wrote me. I kept thinking oh if you’d only moved in closer you could see me and know me… it was quite enlightening.
- What was your reaction to Charles Feltman’s description on TRUST? He described trust as “choosing to risk making something you value vulnerable to another person’s actions,” and he describes distrust as deciding that “what is important to me is not safe with this person in this situation (or any situation).” Who do you think of when you read this quote? I ask this because I definitely thought of one or two people that were not safe to entrust my values to.
- I loved the BRAVING acronym! What part of this acronym stood out to you the most? Mine was boundaries and vault.
- How do you interpret Maya Angelou’s quote: “The price is high. The reward is great.”
Hope you’re loving this book as much as I am.
xoxo,
Chrissy
