In the fall of 2010 I was introduced to TED talks. I watched an eighteen minute talk by researcher and storyteller - Brene’
Brown. (brenebrown.com). If you haven't seen a TED talks they have become an international phenomenon, where people from
various and unlimited backgrounds share short talks that are: “Ideas
worth sharing”. (For more information on TED talks – look online here: www.TED.com)
Brene’ Brown captured my attention in her short talk when she talked about the difference between divided living in contrast with “whole-hearted” living. Through her extensive research, Brene’ discovered an essential ingredient to “whole-hearted” living – vulnerability.
She claims that vulnerability is an important key to living
out lives in the place of wholeheartedness. The more I listened to her words, the louder my own heart pounded.
The words I heard were making something deep inside me sit up and take notice.
Once my perspective on vulnerability shifted, I began to see how vulnerability allows a person to be sincere and honest about whom they are as well as who they aren’t. Vulnerability, frees people from attempts to be perfect - because we aren’t no matter how hard we try. This freedom from perfection and living in vulnerability are necessary steps (according to Ms. Brown) to living a whole-hearted life.
Once my perspective on vulnerability shifted, I began to see how vulnerability allows a person to be sincere and honest about whom they are as well as who they aren’t. Vulnerability, frees people from attempts to be perfect - because we aren’t no matter how hard we try. This freedom from perfection and living in vulnerability are necessary steps (according to Ms. Brown) to living a whole-hearted life.
The more I consider it, living a whole-hearted life looks like living in a way that a person gains greater understanding of who they are as well as what delights their heart in what they do every day.
Perhaps whole-hearted living could lead to experiencing
greater joy, peace, and contentment? What do you think?
Psalm 37:4 is a scripture about “whole hearted” living. Sometimes its been read and understood to mean: …”Obey God and you will get what you want.”
Psalm 37:4 is a scripture about “whole hearted” living. Sometimes its been read and understood to mean: …”Obey God and you will get what you want.”
But what it actually says is this… “Take delight in the Lord, and he
will give you the desires of your heart.”
A person that delights in the Lord is one that understands
they are not perfect – but a forgiven child of God. A person that delights in
the Lord, is someone freed to live life in a “whole-hearted” way – trusting God
in good and bad times.
Living “whole-heartedly” and “delighting in the Lord” call us to new places and unfamiliar ways of being and living, but
these are ways of living that are truly free. Living “whole-heartedly” might
not be comfortable, but it’s a challenge that allows all of us to live - all
parts of life.
Years ago, I had no idea of how Ms. Brown’s first talk about “whole-hearted”
living would stick with me. As I learn more how vulnerability helps make space for growth, development,
experimenting and change - I'm also
Do you think that daring to live a more vulnerable life sounds like an exciting and whole-hearted “idea” worth sharing?
I do too.
Comments