Tag: #brenebrown

Are we stealing our own joy?

I first heard of the term ‘foreboding joy’ in Brene Brown’s book, Daring Greatly. I’ve had that feeling before – when things are going well but I feel it won’t last long, or I will run out of my good fortune soon – but didn’t know there’s an actual term for it…!

It makes me wonder: why do we steal our own joy and deprive ourselves of those joyful moment or season of life? Least we get disappointed? Or we feel unworthy of such joy and/or good fortune?

Scarcity and fear drive foreboding joy. We’re afraid our feelings of joy won’t last, or that it won’t be enough… If the opposite of scarcity is enough, then practicing gratitude is how we acknowledge that there’s enough and that we are enough.

Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown

Next time you have that feeling of foreboding joy, don’t let it steal your joy – instead, be present and be grateful for your moments of joy, knowing that we are enough!

Scary Tale of Vulnerability

From BreneBrown.com – download desktop background

One of reasons (or excuses) I was afraid of starting this blog is the fear of feeling vulnerable. All the ‘What ifs’ and fear of rejection. The feeling if I’m ‘good enough‘ to write and wondering ‘so, who do you think you are?‘

Then I stumbled upon two TED Talks by Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability and Listening to Shame. The most powerful lesson I learnt from her talks is this:

Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage – to be vulnerable, to let ourselves be seen, to be honest.

Her talks inspired me to take the plunge to start this blog. To quote from Brene Brown’s site – to own my story and loving myself through the process. I guess it’s good for the soul to sometimes do something I’m scared of, and trusting myself, trusting the process – to learn and grow from the experience.

How would you like to write your life’s story? Would you settle for a safe and mediocre life, or take a risk to write an adventurous life filled with some failures, learnt lessons and great height of achievement through grit and hard work, being vulnerable and trusting in yourself?

Remember: You are the Author of Your Life!