Book Review: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown

Release Date: September 12, 2017
Publisher: Random House
Format: ebook
Pages: 208 pages
Genre:  self help
Buy: Kindle | Paperback

Synopsis:

Brown argues that we’re experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection, and introduces four practices of true belonging that challenge everything we believe about ourselves and each other. She writes, “True belonging requires us to believe in and belong to ourselves so fully that we can find sacredness both in being a part of something and in standing alone when necessary. But in a culture that’s rife with perfectionism and pleasing, and with the erosion of civility, it’s easy to stay quiet, hide in our ideological bunkers, or fit in rather than show up as our true selves and brave the wilderness of uncertainty and criticism. But true belonging is not something we negotiate or accomplish with others; it’s a daily practice that demands integrity and authenticity. It’s a personal commitment that we carry in our hearts.”

Review:

I have not read any of Brene Brown's other books and I really liked this one.  Remaining true to yourself is not always easy in a world that tries to pigeon hole us into categories.  We are conditioned to try to assimilate but is that really belonging?

If people only like you because you are like them are they really friends? In this politically divided country that seems to get more divisive every day its hard to remain true to yourself but also value other peoples opinions. Uncomfortable situations are usually avoided because we don't like to be uncomfortable but if we embrace these differences and listen to what people of opposing positions have to say we may actually learn something and create a real connection. Its not always easy to stand by your values and today behind the anonymity of our screens its easy to get into nasty arguments over things most of us know very little about but feel the need to weigh in on.

There are so many great moments in this book that I may have to go through it again.  I found so many aha moments that it took me much longer to get through this than it normally does.

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