gifting "the gifts" + moving bodies

I can't tell you how exciting it's been to receive all of your emails about wanting to give The Gifts of Imperfection as a holiday gift!

I'm so, so grateful that you're enjoying the book. It holds a special place in my heart and I love hearing that so many of you are connecting to the Wholehearted journey!

To show my sincere thanks, I want to offer you some special gift trimmings!

I've got great gift cards, bookmarks and book plates (little stickers that I sign when I can't sign your book in person)! All you need to do is fill out this form, and I'll get them in the mail by 12/10. These are my gifts to you! 

This is the super cute 3X4"book plate. We made it to fit right on the first page!

Here's the front and back of the bookmark!

We even have this very special card for your move-a-body friends.

Here's the story:

A year or two ago, my good friend called and as soon as I said, “Hello!” she said, “You’re a friend who would move a body.”

I could tell by her voice that she was serious. I lowered my voice and asked, “What does that mean?”

She said that one of her sister’s close friends had called her sister and asked her to help her move her mom. Her mother, who was apparently only invited to visit once a year, struggled with alcoholism. When my friend’s sister’s friend came home from work, she was passed out drunk on the sofa. It was 3 o’clock in the afternoon and the kids would be busting through the front door any minute. She called because she physically needed help moving her mother.

I let out a deep sigh and said, “Yes. You could definitely call me.”

Then she said one of the kindest things that anyone has ever said to me.  She explained,

“I’d call you because you would come right away. Give me a hug. Never look judgmental or disapproving or disgusted.

And then you’d say, ‘let’s do this.’

The next day when you saw my mom at the park or the soccer game, you’d be kind and respectful.

And most of all, it would never cross my mind to say something to you like, ‘please don’t tell anyone.’ You don’t do that.”

I thought about that conversation for days. I thought about how lucky I am to have a couple of “move-a-body” friends in my life. I thought about how crazy it is that most of us can steamroll over these friends while we work to win the approval and acceptance of people who really don’t matter in our lives – people whom we’d NEVER call when we were in real struggle.

About a week after this call, I thought I’d pay the kindness forward and I called my friend Dawn. As soon as she answered I said, “You’re a friend who would help me move a body.” She replied, “Holy crap. Did you kill somebody?”

I laughed. “No. Not today.” Then I told her how much she means to me.

I think these cards are a fun way to say, "Thank you for being there for me!"

Just to recap - fill out the form and you'll get both gift cards, a bookmark, and a signed book plate (you'll see that I ask for the name on the form). Rather than asking which gift card you want (move-a-body) or the basic, I'll send both for each name you give me. All you need to do is punch a hole in them when you get them. I'm not going to punch the hole because some folks aren't "stringing" them.

I'm going to close the offer on 12/9, so we have time to get everything to you!

Thank you again for the support, encouragement, and for being a part of this amazing community!

Comments

[Kim Smith]

Wow, how wonderfully generous of you Brene, thank you so very very much. Merry Christmas to you amazing Woman!!! x x

[TJ]

This is one of the most beautiful posts I've read in a long time. Your story is not only an example of love but deep trust and compassion. Thank you for sharing this.

[Maura]

I love the move a body sotory. My friends and I always say "who would you call to get out of jail?" Not that we have been injail but always good to know who is on your team! Love the book.

[Cheri]

Brene - I never cease to be amazed and grateful at how well you connect with your audience and how generous you are to your readers! I've been recommending your books to everyone I know. They've been a huge part of my self-exploration and personal growth over the past two years. But I do have a few people on my gift list who NEED this book and to be able to send them a copy with a signed bookplate - how COOL is that?!

Thank you for everything you are doing to make this world a better place!

[MJ]

This is wonderful! Thanks! Oh and I cannot wait to read your book, I just ordered it :)!!

[Nimble]

Thank you Brene, I'll be passing this along. I've got a few body-movers of my own to share this with. Blessing abound!

Jennifer

[melissa]

thank you from a soulful place. this has my heart opening wide...

[jennifer louden]

love this, love you, love the book, giving it as a gift, hope it sweeps the world!

[Ramona]

This is brilliant. I am giving the book to both of my sisters.

[Cheryl]

gift tags ordered, three books ordered! Wow! Thank you Thank you Thank you. What a wonderful gift from you! Have a wonderful holiday!
Cheryl

[Michelle]

Your story about the body mover, makes me want to be a better "body mover," and not a reacter.thanks for the encouragement.~~~

[Peabea (Patricia Bird)]

I just ordered your book for my daughter who is 26. She is currently a divorced single mom, who has gone back to school and is taking child psychology. I've told her about you and when I saw this thought that she will love this book. She reads a lot and is always on the lookout for insightful ones.

Thanks, you are amazing.

[Jeanette Plowman]

I am grateful for you this day and that I can share with others "The Gifts of Imperfection".

[Brené Brown]

We already have 100+ folks signed up! I'm ordering more good stuff now!

[Kristine]

Thank you so much for this giveaway! Your book is on my Christmas wish list so I'm crossing my fingers I will find it under the tree. :-)

[justinv]

What a beautiful (and, I agree with Ramona, brilliant!) idea! Thanks so much for what will be a great addition to an awesome gift. Happy Holiday season!

[Lorie]

yay! My dear sister will love this!

You are the greatest, bestest, most wonderful woman in the world- have a super holiday!

[Erin]

Thank you SO MUCH! I was just reading my copy and thinking of all the people in my life who will get this book as a gift from me... My mom being at the top of the list. Thanks for all that you do.

[Amy]

wonderful stuff! i have a good friend too who would help move a body! :)

[Mincka]

Thank you so much, this comes at the right time in our lives.....

[Dana F]

I am really overwhelmed with gratitude. For your generosity and for your words.
xo

[Danielle]

So glad I ran into you at Blue Mambo and that you were wondering about your hair color so I could see your picture with Courage written on your chest and that I read Kelly Rae's blog. Serendipity at it's best. Just what I needed at this point in my life. Thank you.

[Catherine]

Thank you so much for your kindness - it will brighten up our festive season! And thank you for your work and your blog which are full of insight and wisdom!

[Debbie T]

Dear Brene,

You are kind person with big heart. Thank you for the message you live and share.

Debbie

[Megan Warren]

Thank you for sharing all that you do!

[Barbara]

Beautiful post - I have Sister Girlfirends that would help move a body for me! Life can be beautiful!

[Cindy H.]

Your explaination of "Move the Body" touched me with its depth of caring, maturity and respect. Thank you for all your shared vulnerability - you site and work is a blessing to all of us who search for the place where "I can understand why you would feel that way" is part of our friendship.

[Eileen]

"Move a body" friends are 4ever!!! Love this and love your work!!!

[April]

I downloaded the book this week on my Nook. Almost halfway through. Remember when you were teaching our Justice course and you were talking about your research and discoveries while you were writing the book? Good times.

[sheilah]

Wow, how wonderful you are. Thank You!!

[Alexandria]

What a beautiful sentiment this is! Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Brene. You are reminding us what really matters during the holidays: the people in our lives whom love and cherish.

[Lisa K]

Thank you so much! I am enjoying your books and the stretching it is bringing into my life.

[Ann]

This is simply fantastic. It is so important to know who those people are... love your book. On my second read and getting so much more out of it this time.
Thanks

[Carolyn Gaar]

I love that you wrote about this! I have one true-blue move-a-body friend, and she saved my bacon last week. I may never be able to repay her kindness in kind -- but that's so not what it's about. It's about the fact that without hesitation, she jumped in. I am infinitely grateful to have someone in my life like that -- and my Christmas wish is that everyone has someone like that!!

[Julia]

Hi Bene,
Wonderful post...made me think about who would "move my body", (I dont drink, but have an illness that prevents me from feeling like I look my best alot and don't want anyone around at those times usually), so if something happened to me, who would I really feel comfortable calling if I really needed help, and I knew in my heart for sure who I would let in the door when I am truly down....thanks for the inspirational words and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family....xx..Julia

[EconGrrl]

I so appreciate your courage to share your story, and risk being seen in all your human, imperfect, glory! My goal is to become a wise old woman. My path is to be a beacon of joy. You, your books, & several of our mutual friends are important way-signs that I am on the right path. Whole-heartedly, Christyna

[Britta]

Thank you so much! This is so very generous! I'm in the middle of "The gifts ..." . I love it. It came to me at just the right time.

Love, Britta

[online store]

this is such a useful post of hints that I’ve signed up for a subscription. The comments I hate most on my weblog are the ones by people who don’t anything more than thanks, but your are unique, thank you!

[Anna]

Ohhhhhhhhh. I stumbled upon your blog too late to order the fantastic Christmas gift. Pooh. Do let us know if you'll run this again.

[T Shirt Template]

Thanks for the nice post. I always try to bookmark related posts like this one.

[Marcia]

They came today! Thank you very much!

[Shelly]

I know I'm way too late for your gifts- I am soooo behind in reading - but I wanted to comment anyway to say what an awesome post and gift you gave- and I know that I'm a good friend lime you described to my friends - I would move the body and then take us to lunch ;)

[corinna]

oh my that is the most beautiful post and to date I have looked at my friends and told them that they are a friend who would move a body. thanks so much for being you Brene...warts and all