tgif (and thank you)!

It's been a while since I've posted for TGIF, but I think it's time! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed as we try to find our back-to-school-back-to-work groove. We're all still so tired in the mornings and I'm under a deadline for my new book (The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting). If there's one thing I've learned from the research, it's the power of gratitude! When I'm feeling low on joy, it's often because I'm not practicing enough gratitude.

For my TGIF, I want to share something really exciting with you. The Gifts of Imperfection is the #1 creativity book and the #1 spirituality book on Amazon.com right now. When I saw it, I couldn't believe it!

I know it won't last forever, but I'm trying to be very mindful about softening into joy and gratitude even when it's simply a moment - even when there are no guarantees about the very next minute. Even when it just means something to me (and the people around me who have to put up with CRAZY while I'm writing). 

So, here's my TGIF for today:

I'm trusting that joy comes in moments that should be celebrated rather than dismissed because they are fleeting.

I'm grateful for your support and your contributions to this community.

I'm inspired by the power of perseverance. I could wallpaper my house in rejection letters from agents and publishers. Most of them started like this:  Dear Dr. Renee Brown,  While shame is an important subject, we're not sure that a book on shame, vulnerability, and worthiness will interest readers. There was one publisher who said they'd consider the book if I'd change it to "People's most embarrassing moments." Blech.

It's been a long, messy, awesome, scary, wonderful 12 years of research and writing. I wouldn't change a thing. Well, I might offer myself some relief on one or two of those really dark days when I felt like a nutty shame resilience evangelist!  

I would love to know what you're trusting, grateful for, and inspired by today! Happy TGIF and thank you from the bottom of my whole heart! 

Comments

[playcrane]

Congrats on being #1!

[schmutzie]

Congratulations!

[liz]

truly wonderful. i hope you're filled with more and more joy!

[Em]

I trust that no matter how difficult things are, two things are true: that they hold a gift in their hand (granted, sometimes I wish I had fewer gifts!) and that things will get better.
I am grateful for creativity. Whether it's applied to getting out of a scary situation, coming up with a Halloween costume or to writing a book, creativity is a life saver and maker.
I am inspired by the idea of making things better for others. I love the idea of doing things that add value (and perhaps a little joy!) to other people's lives. Which in turn adds some joy to my own.

Congratulations on being number 1! Picture me with one of those foam giant hands on waving it in the air!

[Jo]

I'm trusting that feeling better about me (as opposed to good about me) becomes enough so that I can move on from where I am.
I'm grateful for your contribution to my journey and all the steps I've been able to take thanks to your work and perseverance.
And I'm inspired by a friend who just does it, despite the obstacles and voices of dissent, and is changing her life, little by little.

And congratulations, I am so pleased for you.

[SK]

I am trusting that I'll get through difficult times, grateful for the bravery to even try, and inspired by those who are also engaged in that work.

Brene, we have a good friend in common. I hope we finally meet someday.

[Elizabeth]

I am trusting that those who were so badly affected by Irene will be provided for and feel cared for by the greater community.

I am very grateful for my health and that my my husband and children.....

I am inspired by those who do what they love and follow their inner voice...their light brightens the darkness.

Congratulations! And I look forward to the arrival of your new book.

[Chris]

I am trusting that my choice to change my daughter's preschool was the right one. Her last day at her current preschool is today. She starts at her new school on Tuesday.

I am grateful for my daughter and the joy she brings to the world.

I am inspired by her teachers and the love and care they have shown her for the past 4 years.

Congratulations Brené, and I too look forward to reading your book on imperfect parenting!

[Peg]

Oh, my gosh, that is so cool! Congratulations!

I really would love to get in this habit. Wonder if fall is the right time for me to resurrect my OLW, routine, and make this the routine I work on....sounds like a good plan on a sleepy Friday morning. LOL Gotta start somewhere:

Trusting: That the new opportunity to meet a romantic interest will work out well and teach me something even if it doesn't turn out to be 'the one' (whatever that is! LOL)

Grateful: That a dear friend has come through major surgery well.

Inspired: By the excitement of fall and a new season. Not a teacher anymore but my fundamental biorythms seem to run on the school year even though there aren't any students at my house.

Thanks Brene!

[Cindy]

You are so awesome!

I've been doing a Thankful Friday entry on my blog for some time now. I like that it makes me sit down and take the time to be grateful all the little wonderful things that happened during the week.

[Jody]

I'm trusting that even though things make me feel that I am insignifigant I know that I'm not and I remind myself that those things are actaully what are insignificant.

I'm grateful for the people around me who help remind me of what I am trusting.

I'm inspired knowing that I don't walk this thing called "life" alone and that it is FRIDAY!

[Adrian]

Congratulations on the success of your book. I love it!!! Your work along with other things I have done this year has opened up a whole new level of relating and connecting. Sometimes this has been painful as those that I have held on to are not able to follow along and be more authentic. And of course other times it has been wonderful as I let my guard down and love people as I am.

I am grateful for being able to accept and appreciate the wisdom that is available from people such as yourself. I am grateful that I am able to apply it to my life and see changes and new awareness that makes a difference for me and for others.

[Donna]

All I can say is THANK YOU Brené Brown...you are amazing and have brought so much into my life!!! I do wish I'd found you and your work when I was in my 40's...but I probably wouldn't have listened or thought your research "applied to me"! Thankfully as I enter my 60's in a few months, I have so many wonderful tools I've gained from your books that my "second journey" in life will be more mindful, joyful, trusting, playful, and courageous! With much gratitude, Donna

[PJ]

Congratulations, Brene.
You and your words have inspired, comforted and humored me.
I appreciate your friendship....yes, your friendship. Your words have become friends to me....
Your perseverance is a gift to all of us!

[Josh T]

Brené, you have changed my life and given me the strength to change it for myself. You deserve to be number one even on the days that you aren't, because for me number one simply means that you touch people who read your words and inspirational comments. Without your books and your recommendations, I would still be stuck far behind when I am now...which, I am GRATEFUL to say is somewhere moving towards being who I sincerely feel I am. Learning to love my fears and my imperfections has made me so much more grateful for the moments in which I am simply happy. Thank you, and congratulations.

[dee]

Congrats! I hope it stays at the top of the list, at least until your new book comes out.

I'm TRUSTING that the universe has a plan for me and that I will be led in the direction that I need to go. I'm GRATEFUL for the people who love and support me even when it's not convenient. I'm inspired by the fact that their are so many out there who are forging new paths of living and being and showing me all the possibilities for my life through their example.

Best to you....

[Steffi]

Yay, TGIF is back! Congratulations on being Numero Uno and I love the power of perseverance!

Today, I'm trusting that I know the way and if I don't know, I'll be guided.
I'm grateful for so many things. Right now, I pick good food.
I'm inspired by people who grow and make their own clothes.

[Maria Sapio]

We have never had the opportunity to meet but you have been such a profound blessing in my life!

I have read (and re-read) The Gifts of Imperfection and I am reading it yet again at a snails pace because I had previously missed so much.

Today I trust that loving myself is an option. I struggle to embrace loving myself yet I so deeply desire to live with my whole heart.

Today I am grateful for you. I am being completely sincere in saying that too :-) Your willingness to courageously share your research and your own life experiences has been a gift to me. Your words are open and unmasked.

Today the welcoming arms of Life inspire me. I am offered the luxury of making mistakes and accepting myself as being imperfect. I am further offered the tremendous love and acceptance of those whom I have chosen to trust completely with me.

Thank you for being a part of my journey. I have The Gifts of Imperfection on my IPod and so, you have been with me as I have laughed, as I have cried, and as I have stopped to say, "Oh, No...She's describing ME...AAAhhh"

With a grateful heart,

Maria Sapio

[Marisa]

Congratulations on making it to #1. I only recently discovered your books and have already told many of my friends about you, website, and blog. I look forward to reading your next book. I need all the help I can get raising my four kids!

I am thankful for the quiet today as all four kids are in school, my youngest started kindergarten yesterday :). And I am thankful for the beauty of Washington state and the peace it brings to me walking through the forest and looking up at the leaves in wonder.

Thanks Brene for pointing out that the "ordinary" things in life can ofter bring the most joy.

[Eileen J]

I Trust that satisfactory resolutions to daunting problems await my arrival, even if they aren’t readily apparent to me today.

I am Grateful for people who give me a reflection to see myself in new ways.

I am Inspired by a Universe that offers you the same lessons, sometimes gently, sometimes raucously, over and over until you get exactly what you are supposed to get from it.

[Penny]

I am grateful for 34 years with my best friend & husband, for work that satisfies my soul desire to make a difference in the lives of others, for 3 adult children who make me laugh and thrill me just to look at them, for a week coming up at the beach even though it looks like rain every day; just because the beach is where the 3 eternities meet (earth, sky, ocean) and it reminds me that I am small & God is there and loves me.

[Charlene]

I am grateful for such wonderful online resources - such as yourself Brene! What a great blog post! This past week I have overextended myself and have not given myself the time to sit, be still and reflect. I am glad you asked the question what I am trusting, grateful and inspired by. I am trusting and grateful for new ideas and people to lead me to a healthier life and I am inspired by the older women in my exercise class that teach me you are never too old to take care of yourself.

Namaste,
Charlene

[Holly Marie]

I'm trusting that when people offer to help me with things, they really mean it, and I am trying to take them up on it more often.

I'm grateful for better friendships than I've ever had before.

I'm inspired by the funny and smart teenagers I teach.

[Sandra]

Congratulations Brené!
Not only do you get to feel the glow of being a successful author, but also the delight of knowing that so many others are changing their lives and recognizing joy because of the words you put out there. How fantastic!!!

I am trusting that even though change is not happening at the pace I would like (you know, instantly), it will happen...and that it's a process, and I mustn't give up too quickly.

I am grateful that I found you when I did (hooray for TedTalks!) and that your words resonate with me. I feel like I'm finally moving beyond just the recognition of negative patterns and behavior to actually changing them...and it makes me so hopeful!

I am inspired by the courage I see in so many women around me (and so many women I've never met whose work I keep stumbling upon) who are able to tell their story with their whole heart. They unknowingly inspire me to do the same...and little by little, I will.

(And just in case all of our comments aren't enough of a love fest, dear Brené, know that I trust your words because they are lovingly, compassionately honest. I am grateful that you had the courage to share them. And the more I read them and write them and repeat them in my head, the more inspired I become. Keep writing!!!)

[Chris]

I'm one of those people who bought the book this week (though not on Amazon but rather at my local bookstore). It jumped off the shelf at me. I'm 2/3 the way through. It's already helped me to have a week I am grateful for.

I trust that I am on the path to recovery, wholeness and learning to love and accept myself as I am.

I am grateful to my best friend who has the courage to be her authentic self, to stick by me and share her thoughts and feelings with me even if they are difficult to hear.

I am inspired by my brother sharing wtih me something that made him vulnerable. May it enhance our connection and help me to be vulnerable myself when I'm dealing wtih shame.

[Jane B.]

I am trusting that some day I will actually *know* that EVERYTHING is as it should be, right here, right now.

I am grateful to have come across your amazing work and research, Brene. Really. You are changing so much in me, for me, about me. And I am grateful for Y-O-U.

I am SO inspired by Kal's work. As I write this, I am looking at a personalized print she did for me that says: Jane, You Are Courageous. Thank you for share her and her work with everyone.

[Mamaredhead]

I'm trusting that decisions my sons make will be good for them -- even if they may not be good for me nor seem very right or very smart ;-) to me!!!

I'm grateful that in spite of all the questions I ask and all the criticism they receive from me they still want to hear my opinion on things.

My inspiration is their un-spoiled and very honest view onto the world and things around them

Friday is a good day to look on things and see -- it's all good!

Thank you so much for this. I will try to practise more gratitude in order to relax and ... yes ... to find more joy in a very stressful life.

[LisaMac]

I'm trusting that I can handle new situations with my daughter's mental illness, because I have handled new situations before. Many of them more of a crisis situation than getting her back in public school.

I am grateful for the aid of a group of support people in the mental health community and at school that help me calm myself and not panic while helping smooth the way for my daughter to be successful.

I am inspired by my husbands love and support as a husband, father and friend.

[Allison]

Grateful that my friend showed me the link of you on TED.
Inspired by what I am reading in your book The Gifts of Imperfection
Trusting that I will learn from it and use it going forward in my life.

I cannot thank you enough for having the courage to write this book and share your imperfections with us!

[Kirsty]

I'm trusting that, in the words of Pema Chodron, every situation, and every feeling is both the fruition of something, and the seed of something else.

I'm grateful for the continued friendship and loyalty from my recently made ex-partner, and our ability to part in the best ways possible.

I'm inspired by the way we humans are changing, with illumination and knowledge like that which Brene has discovered!

[Concetta at Glittering Shards]

I am not surprised at all that it is top of the list. I think I will buy multiple copies as Christmas presents! Well done you for persevering past those rejection letters - they said the same to JK Rowling and the Beatles so you are in good company ;)

[Deb]

I'm inspired by the positive feedback comment I received on my mom's house (it's been on the market last year and this year since March).

I'm grateful for a God that is alive and on the throne.

I'm trusting that He will bring the right buyer for this house and it WILL sell :) I know if He doesn't do it, it won't get done. I'm trusting that He will help me with my stress level, help me find joy regardless of my circumstances and give me the peace that surpasses understanding while I wait. That's really huge to me !

[Sarah]

Congrats Brene! Totally deserved!!! There's hardly a week that goes by that I don't recommend your book to someone... it's beyond creativity, beyond spirituality, beyond shame(and certainly not about people's most embarrassing stories!), it's about LIFE. All facets of it. Some days spinning perfectly as a wheel, some days spinning out of control like a cyclone. There's something in The Gifts Of Imperfection for everyone - even those publishers who rejected you. No, ESPECIALLY those publishers that rejected you!!! I am so grateful for ALL of your work and for what you share here, allowing us all to be a part of it. :) xxx

[MaryKim]

Congratulations! Just received my book today...."The Gifts of Imperfection", can not wait to start reading it. I some how stumbled.....rather...I was led to your web site, for that I am grateful and look forward to... moving forward.

[Christa.]

Congratulations! If I ran the world, everyone would read this book, just as soon as they're old enough to read it. Seriously. Reading it changed my life and I've passed that along to others in many ways.

Thanks, too, Brene, for pointing out what a long road you traveled to bring Gifts to us all. I'm trusting that my own journey will bring me to where I need to be, to where I can best serve and best be. After all, look at all the good your hard work has done!

So well deserved - drink it in!

[Shannon]

I'm thankful for you Brene! I just recently had my first experience with sharing a very painful shame story with several people in my life. It was the first time I was able to recognize that what I was going through was shame, and although it took me a few days to finally reach out, I did eventually do it. It was so scary! I cried really hard for a few minutes, and then suddenly I was laughing... the power that shameful experience had over me was gone in minutes after I talked about it, and I have since been able to tell the story without feeling much of the pain of it, and most importantly I have laughed about it!

So thank you for giving me the tools I need for what is turning out to be one of the most profound transformations I have ever experienced. If I ever meet you, I'm going to give you a big hug!

[Cheryl Mattis]

I trust that I will come out on the other side of this divorce a stronger, more confident, happier person who will not be afraid to be open to the possibility of a supportive, fulfilling relationship in the future.
I am grateful for the support of loving family and friends through this not so fun journey.
I am inspired by my beautiful daughters who have grown into wonderful, strong, intelligent young women!
Congratulations Brene! Well deserved!

[Liz]

I trust that all the hard work I am puttiing into grad school will pay off. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to return to school in my 40s.

[jennifer schellpeper]

I am grateful for nebraska thunder storms on hot summer evenings!

[Liz @ PeaceLoveGuac]

I am trusting that my gut is right as I make some changes in my career. Coincidentally, they have everything to do with appreciating the small moments in life, so this post struck such a chord with me!

I'm grateful for the people in my life who fill me up rather than drain me. And I'm also resolving to put more time into those energizing relationships.

Congratulations on the #1...so exciting and so deserved!

[Carrie]

I'm trusting that the internal upheaval is forward momentum in disguise. It doesn't feel that way.
I'm grateful for the connection in this invisible community. Reading this post and the comments make me feel less alone.
I'm inspired by the passing of time, the change in season that's back again. New and like clockwork all at once.

[alison rogers]

Congratulations Brene. I look forward to your new book, it is long overdue. It is something I tell parents everyday--you do not have to be perfect to be a perfectly good parent.
Cheers,
Alison

[Christi Rae]

I am not surprised about the books being #1, they are magical and joyful in the most thought provoking way!

I am trusting that I will continue to heal and that sadness will continue to leave. I am trusting that I can stay grounded and balanced.

I am grateful for the lovely talk with my brother tonight, the rapture of my life has brought us closer and has certainly brought raw authenticity to our relationship for the first time. I am grateful that with pain, struggle, and undoing many gift come forth. The authentic relationship with my brother is one of those gifts.

I am inspired by the bravery of the students who participate in my research. Young children with such perspective, such boldness, and such insight are a joy to work with. I carry their heats with me each day as I do my work.

[Tina Tierson]

Brene - Congratulations on being #1! As a woman in my mid 60s, I can honestly say that "The Gifts of Imperfection" changed my life! Every day I remind myself that I am brave and worthy of love and belonging, and that I am enough! I could never have said those words had I not read your amazing book! I, like Donna above, only wish I could have read it years ago. Thank you for the gift of you! xoxo

[Jessica O'Callaghan]

I trust that I have the strength to accept myself for who I am and to forgive myself for the things I continue to think are shortcomings.

I am grateful to have found support in this journey from unexpected people and places.

I am inspired by my children and their need to live in a world where they accept and love themselves, and I hope to teach them these things.

[Sue Ingram]

Congrats on your position in Amazon. No surprise to me! Read loads of self-help books and yours is definately in the top 5 - a classic!

My gratitude - your book - your blogs - reminding myself that joy and gratitude comes is small fleeting moments to be valued and warmed by.

Trust - I too am writing a book (not self help, but about performance management in work - bascially truth telling but don't tell them as 'that word' seems to scare them all off!). So I am going to trust that I shall sit down and word by word write it out.

Thank you for perserving and reminding me to do so also!!

[Kaye]

For my son ...

I trust that you have all the strength and courage that you need.
I am grateful that you have given me the privilege and the honour of walking with you.
I am inspired by your insight, your hope and your honesty.

[Yvette]

I'm trusting that my daughter won't been a tween forever and will possibly like me someday. And that all her sassyness is not the verdict on my mothering.

I'm grateful that the world remains populated with mothers who have made it through having middle-school aged daughters, and that some of those mothers offer me their empathy and encouragement that everything will be okay.

I'm inspired by the complexity of creation and each new rising sun that reminds me to be patient as life unfolds in new and different ways for each individual. I don't have to have all the answers today, I can embrace waiting and mystery.

[Auntly H]

I am trusting that I am ready for my first century bike ride and will finish it.

I am grateful for the support I've received during training and for the ride itself.

I am inspired by Team WILD.

[Shannon Born]

I trust in the process... always (and I am always trying to practice what I preach: "let go of the outcome."

I am grateful for every learning opportunity that comes my way, and I find myself actually getting excited when I am confronted with struggle and challenge... I am also grateful for all the support I have in my life, my family, my friends, my colleagues, even my clients (it is my job to assist them but I learn from them too... ). I truly feel blessed each day...

I am inspired by the courage of others and I am learning to practice another one of my happiness philosophies with more vigor and authenticity: "feel the fear and do it anyway." I am also inpsired by knowledge and learning...


have a wonderful long weekend!