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Brené Brown on Leaning Into Our Vulnerability (video)

By Trent Gilliss, senior editor | Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 3:57pm

We live in a vulnerable world, says social researcher Brené Brown. And what do we do in the face of this vulnerability? We numb it.

But Dr. Brown says we cannot selectively numb emotion. When we do, we anesthetize personal joy and gratitude and happiness. In today's society, we are masters of this numbing, but there are those out there who "lean" into their vulnerability and fragility. They are our teachers, the ones who can model a way forward to love wholeheartedly and see ourselves for who we are. World Domination Summit 2012 - Portland, ORThe key, says Dr. Brown, is to acknowledge that we are "wired for struggle." Her solution: let ourselves be seen, deeply and vulnerably, by others; love others wholeheartedly even though there's no guarantee of reciprocation; practice gratitude and joy in those moments of terror; and believe we are enough.

We're preparing for our interview with Dr. Brené Brown this Thursday morning. If you have a question about vulnerability, courage, authenticity, or shame, post it here in the comments section. I'll be sure to pass them on to Krista and see if we can get some of them asked during their conversation.

Photo by Chris Guillebeau/Armosa Studios and licensed under Creative Commons.

social science, vulnerability, shame, love, TED, mental health, video

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54 Comments

Submitted by Reignbeau on Tue, 2013-01-01 20:23

Thanks for sharing. Your post is a useful cotnribution.

Submitted by Al Carden on Thu, 2013-01-03 09:21

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your gift of articulation has encouraged me!!!!

Submitted by Diane Wikse on Sat, 2013-01-05 13:15

It seems to me that this speaks to the issue of the damage of using the behaviorist approach with children. Children need to know they are loved unconditionally. When they are treated conditionally -- that is, given rewards only when they behave a certain way -- then they are taught to question their own worth every day.

Submitted by maki nyandeni on Sat, 2013-05-04 07:46

I. Am inspired by what I am raeding.so many people thunk being vulnerable is a sign of weaknes

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