Casandra Brené Brown PhD MSW is a research professor at the University of Houston where she hold the Huffington – Brené Brown Endowed Chair. She has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Powerful Brené Brown quotes will instantly inspire you, brighten up your life, and make you mentally stronger.
If you’re searching for powerful life quotes that perfectly capture what you’d like to say or just want to feel inspired yourself, browse through an amazing collection of Oprah quotes, quotes by Abraham Hicks, and inspirational Tony Robbins quotes.
Best Brené Brown Quotes
We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions. Brené Brown
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. Brene Brown
I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do. Brené Brown
Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen. Brene Brown
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. Brené Brown
You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging. Brene Brown
Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness. Brené Brown
I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship. Brené Brown
The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. Brené Brown
Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen. Brené Brown
If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive. Brené Brown
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. Brené Brown
Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty. Brené Brown
If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive. Brené Brown
Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. Brené Brown
We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions. Brené Brown
When I look at narcissism through the vulnerability lens, I see the shame based fear of being ordinary. I see the fear of never feeling extraordinary enough to be noticed, to be lovable, to belong, or to cultivate a sense of purpose. Brené Brown
The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. Brene Brown
Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen. Brené Brown
If you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment, and inexplicable grief. Brené Brown
To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. But, I’m learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude and grace. Brené Brown
Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change. Brene Brown
Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis. Brené Brown
Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty. Brene Brown
Nostalgia is also a dangerous form of comparison. Think about how often we compare our lives to a memory that nostalgia has so completely edited that it never really existed. Brené Brown
Perfectionism is a self destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame. Brené Brown
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. Brené Brown
To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. But, I’m learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude and grace. Brené Brown
I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship. Brené Brown
What we know matters but who we are matters more. Brené Brown
Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary. Brené Brown
Healthy striving is self focused How can I improve? Perfectionism is other focused What will they think? Brené Brown
We run from grief because loss scares us, yet our hearts reach toward grief because the broken parts want to mend. Brené Brown
Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together. Brené Brown
Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Brené Brown
When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice. Brené Brown
I believe that what we regret most are our failures of courage, whether it’s the courage to be kinder, to show up, to say how we feel, to set boundaries, to be good to ourselves. For that reason, regret can be the birthplace of empathy. Brené Brown
I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do. Brené Brown
Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change. Brené Brown
Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection. Brené Brown
I thought faith would say, I’ll take away the pain and discomfort, but what it ended up saying was, I’ll sit with you in it. Brené Brown
Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning and purpose to our lives. Brené Brown
Our job is not to deny the story, but to defy the ending to rise strong, recognize our story, and rumble with the truth until we get to a place where we think, Yes. This is what happened. And I will choose how the story ends. Brené Brown
If we share our shame story with the wrong person, they can easily become one more piece of flying debris in an already dangerous storm. Brene Brown
Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others. Brené Brown
The willingness to show up changes us, It makes us a little braver each time. Brené Brown
Courage is contagious. A critical mass of brave leaders is the foundation of an intentionally courageous culture. Every time we are brave with our lives, we make the people around us a little braver and our organizations bolder and stronger. Brené Brown
If you want to make a difference, the next time you see someone being cruel to another human being, take it personally. Take it personally because it is personal! Brené Brown
When we work from a place, I believe, that says I’m enough, then we stop screaming and start listening, we’re kinder and gentler to the people around us, and we’re kinder and gentler to ourselves. Brené Brown
Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Brene Brown
Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of You’re not alone. Brené Brown
Compassionate people ask for what they need. They say no when they need to, and when they say yes, they mean it. They’re compassionate because their boundaries keep them out of resentment. Brené Brown
If you can’t ask for help without self judgment, you cannot offer help without judging others. Brené Brown
Until we can receive with an open heart, we’re never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help. Brené Brown
Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect. Brené Brown
We’re a nation hungry for more joy Because we’re starving from a lack of gratitude. Brené Brown
To me, a leader is someone who holds her or himself accountable for finding potential in people and processes. Brené Brown
If you own this story you get to write the ending. Brené Brown
Courage is like it’s a habitus, a habit, a virtue You get it by courageous acts. It’s like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn courage by couraging. Brené Brown
True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are. Brené Brown
The willingness to show up changes us, It makes us a little braver each time. Brené Brown
Even to me the issue of stay small, sweet, quiet, and modest sounds like an outdated problem, but the truth is that women still run into those demands whenever we find and use our voices. Brené Brown
Who we are and how we engage with the world are much stronger predictors of how our children will do than what we know about parenting. Brené Brown
The universe is not short on wake up calls. We’re just quick to hit the snooze button. Brené Brown
If we share our shame story with the wrong person, they can easily become one more piece of flying debris in an already dangerous storm. Brené Brown
Just because someone isn’t willing or able to love us, it doesn’t mean that we are unlovable. Brené Brown
Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect. Brené Brown
Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart. Brene Brown
Shame is the most powerful, master emotion. It’s the fear that we’re not good enough. Brené Brown
I only share when I have no unmet needs that I’m trying to fill. I firmly believe that being vulnerable with a larger audience is only a good idea if the healing is tied to the sharing, not to the expectations I might have for the response I get. Brené Brown
Even to me the issue of stay small, sweet, quiet, and modest sounds like an outdated problem, but the truth is that women still run into those demands whenever we find and use our voices. Brené Brown
Here’s what is truly at the heart of wholeheartedness Worthy now. Not if, not when, we’re worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is. Brené Brown
Vulnerability is not about winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome. Brené Brown
I define vulnerability as uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. With that definition in mind, let’s think about love. Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can’t ensure, who may stay in our lives or may leave without a moment’s notice, who may be loyal to the day they die or betray us tomorrow that’s vulnerability. Brené Brown
Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed, and rare. Brené Brown
Compassion is not a virtue it is a commitment. It’s not something we have or don’t have it’s something we choose to practice. Brené Brown
I can confidently say that stories of pain and courage almost always include two things praying and cussing. Sometimes at the exact same time. Brené Brown
Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it’s a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands. Brené Brown
Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them we can only love others as much as we love ourselves. Brené Brown
No one reaches out to you for compassion or empathy so you can teach them how to behave better. They reach out to us because they believe in our capacity to know our darkness well enough to sit in the dark with them. Brené Brown
If we want people to fully show up, to bring their whole selves including their unarmored, whole hearts so that we can innovate, solve problems, and serve people we have to be vigilant about creating a culture in which people feel safe, seen, heard, and respected. Brené Brown
It’s in our biology to trust what we see with our eyes. This makes living in a carefully edited, overproduced and photoshopped world very dangerous. Brené Brown
Perfectionism is not about healthy achievement and growth. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgement, and shame. It’s a shield. Brené Brown
Wholeheartedness. There are many tenets of Wholeheartedness, but at its very core is vulnerability and worthiness; facing uncertainty, exposure, and emotional risks, and knowing that I am enough. Brené Brown
Only when diverse perspectives are included, respected, and valued can we start to get a full picture of the world. Brené Brown
To love ourselves and support each other in the process of becoming real is perhaps the greatest single act of daring greatly. Brené Brown
When we feel good about the choices we’re making and when we’re engaging with the world from a place of worthiness rather than scarcity, we feel no need to judge and attack. Brené Brown
Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them. Brené Brown
Art has the power to render sorrow beautiful, make loneliness a shared experience, and transform despair into hope. Brené Brown
Who we are and how we engage with the world are much stronger predictors of how our children will do than what we know about parenting. Brené Brown
Being ourselves means sometimes having to find the courage to stand alone, totally alone. Brené Brown
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