When we open ourselves in vulnerability to others, drop our defenses, truly listen with curiosity, learn to hold the pain and joy of others, refuse to accept the false dichotomies and polarizations, and speak our nuanced understandings amidst the pressure we will create the kind of society in which we all want to be a part. One place is in our denominational conversations about sexuality, I thought, “the Reformed Church in America needs to hear this!” and I cheered when I heard our interim General Secretary (as I watched the streaming) read portions of this book in his speech to the General Synod.Īs the subtitle “the quest for true belonging and the courage to stand alone” suggests, the book establishes the need we all have to belong and explains that our journey to belong starts inward, not outward.

When I first read parts of this book, I thought about all of the places where systems of which I am a part are stuck in echo chambering, polarization, inability to listen or hear, inability to nuance, and dehumanizing behavior. Be warned, she swears and rants and also tells some powerful stories. Parts of this book will irritate people AND there are parts of this book everyone needs to hear! I want to thank the author, Brene Brown, for eloquently putting into words backed by research a poignant and timely message for our polarized society of high social anxiety.

Brene brown into the wilderness