Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

Why You Want To Read This - The Well Canto Newsletter, Volume 18

Random House Publishing

I recommend everything Brené Brown writes, as well as her TED talks, YouTube videos, and docu-series. She is everywhere, and with good reason. Personally, I started with Daring Greatly (2012) after watching this clip:

WATCH: (5:17) Brene Brown It's Not The Critic Who Counts (edited)

Here is the entire 1910 speech by our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, from which Brown derives the title of Daring Greatly. The speech is long and well worth reading for its profundity and relevance. 

https://www.worldfuturefund.org/Documents/maninarena.htm

Clearly, the video clip above provides important validation for those of us brave enough to get in the Arena, and go back time and again. Read or listen to any of Brené Brown’s books (the author records her own audiobooks, lending them a genuine quality). You won’t be sorry. 

AUTHENTIC:

1. Adjective Not counterfeit or copied
   “an authentic signature”

Synonyms: bona fide, unquestionable, veritable, echt, genuine, reliable, trustworthy

2. Adjective Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief

“an authentic account of an eyewitness”

Synonyms: worthy of trust or belief, true

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.”

Brené Brown

Braving the Wilderness (2017) is a powerful exploration of belonging, connection, and authenticity in a world that feels divided and disconnected, now more than ever. True belonging, the author states, requires us to be authentic and courageous enough to stand alone, even when it means “braving the wilderness” of uncertainty and vulnerability - the very landscape constantly inhabited by artists.  

In Brown’s 2010 book, The Gifts of Imperfection, she defines belonging like this:

Belonging is the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us. Because this yearning is so primal, we often try to acquire it by fitting in and by seeking approval, which are not only hollow substitutes for belonging, but often barriers to it. Because 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.

She completes her definition in Braving the Wilderness by adding that we also must belong to ourselves. As humans, we crave the experience of real connection with others, but not at the cost of authenticity, freedom, or power. Fitting in and seeking approval is equivalent to abandoning ourselves. Embracing our own worthiness (self-acceptance) regardless of external validation or societal norms is the necessary first step.

The ability to be authentic and genuine, even when it means risking rejection or disapproval, is an artist’s daily fare. The author also emphasizes the importance of standing by our values and beliefs, even when they may not align with those around us.

Brown also explores the power of empathy and compassion in fostering connection and understanding across differences - like politics, culture, or identity. She highlights the importance of listening and engaging with empathy, rather than shutting down or dismissing differing perspectives. How different would our world be if we all tried just a bit harder to do that?

Strong Back, Soft Front

This word-image by Joan Halifax is the basis of one of Brown’s most powerful ideas in this book:  

All too often, our so-called strength comes from fear, not love; instead of having a strong back, many of us have a defended front shielding a weak spine. In other words, we walk around brittle and defensive, trying to conceal our lack of confidence. If we strengthen our backs, metaphorically speaking, and develop a spine that’s flexible, but sturdy, then we can risk having a front that’s soft and open, representing choiceless compassion. The place in your body where these two meet - strong back and soft front - is the brave tender ground in which to root our caring deeply.

Strong Back, Soft Front, Wild Heart

Adding a Wild Heart to the Strong Back, Soft Front, Brown paints a full picture of the artistic spirit, which is of course not limited to artists. A Wild Heart is a paradox, like life: tough and tender, exciting and frightening, vulnerable and courageous, fierce and kind. Imagine pouring out your heart to a group of listeners, whether it be 5 friends or 5000 paying strangers, and everything it took to get there, as well as what will come after. Strong Back. Soft Front. Wild Heart. 

Although I have presented here only a taste, have I convinced you, Cherished Creative, to read Braving the Wilderness? Are you open to the invaluable insights that may inspire you to embrace your unique voice and vision, even in the face of criticism, rejection, or feeling overlooked? In a world that often pressures conformity, this book’s wisdom on belonging, courage, authenticity, and empathy offers valuable guidance for navigating the challenges of the creative process, and the life of an artist. 

Brené Brown's writing style is engaging and accessible, seamlessly blending personal anecdotes, research findings, and practical advice. She has a knack for distilling complex concepts into relatable insights, making her work both enlightening and enjoyable to read. She is a master story-teller. Read this book!

Here is a list of Brené Brown’s books to date: 

• “I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't)” (2007)

• “The Gifts of Imperfection” (2010)

• “Daring Greatly” (2012)

• “The Power of Vulnerability” (2013)

• “Rising Strong” (2015)

• “Braving the Wilderness” (2017)

• “Dare to Lead” (2018)

• “Atlas of the Heart” (2021)

Contact me for Voice Lessons through: www.WAVS.info

Contact me for Well Coachings through: www.BarbaraShirvisWellness.com

May you live in ease and kindness, with a free heart.