Rising Strong

Whenwedenyourstories，theydefineus.Whenweownourstories，wegettowritetheending.SocialscientistBrenéBrownhasignitedaglobalconversationoncourage，vulnerability，shame，andworthiness.Herpioneeringworkuncoveredaprofoundtruth：Vulnerability—thewillingnesstoshowupandbeseenwithnoguaranteeofoutcome—istheonlypathtomorelove，belonging，creativity，andjoy.Butlivingabravelifeisnotalwayseasy：Weare，inevitably，goingtostumbleandfall.ItistherisefromfallingthatBrowntakesashersubjectinRisingStrong.Asagroundedtheoryresearcher，Brownhaslistenedasarangeofpeople—fromleadersinFortune500companiesandthemilitarytoartists，couplesinlong-termrelationships，teachers，andparents—sharedtheirstoriesofbeingbrave，falling，andgettingbackup.Sheaskedherself，Whatdothesepeoplewithstrongandlovingrelationships，leadersnurturingcreativity，artistspushinginnovation，andclergywalkingwithpeoplethroughfaithandmysteryhaveincommon?Theanswerwasclear：Theyrecognizethepowerofemotionandthey’renotafraidtoleanintodiscomfort.Walkingintoourstoriesofhurtcanfeeldangerous.Buttheprocessofregainingourfootinginthemidstofstruggleiswhereourcourageistestedandourvaluesareforged.Ourstoriesofstrugglecanbebigones，likethelossofajobortheendofarelationship，orsmallerones，likeaconflictwithafriendorcolleague.Regardlessofmagnitudeorcircumstance，therisingstrongprocessisthesame：Wereckonwithouremotionsandgetcuriousaboutwhatwe’refeeling;werumblewithourstoriesuntilwegettoaplaceoftruth;andwelivethisprocess，everyday，untilitbecomesapracticeandcreatesnothingshortofarevolutioninourlives.Risingstrongafterafallishowwecultivatewholeheartedness.It’stheprocess，Brownwrites，thatteachesusthemostaboutwhoweare.