I received the best compliment I have received in my counseling practice this week. A client said, “Coming to see you is like watching Brene Brown’s TED Talk. I always leave here inspired and walking in integrity. You are just like her!”

If you don’t know, Brene Brown is one of my favorite authors and speakers. She’s a researcher in Texas who studies shame, vulnerability, authenticity, and connection. You can imagine she has had a LARGE impact on my work. I have reread some of her books multiple times and suggest her TED Talks more than any others to clients.

What’s really great about Brene, greater than any of the other scholars I read to inform my practice, is that she truly walks her talk. Throughout her writing she gives examples related to her own personal story, modeling the honesty and vulnerability she is requesting of the reader. Her writing is beautiful to read and gives TONS of opportunities for self-reflection and examples to help you create a better life. You may also be interested in her books, The Gift of Imperfection and Daring Greatly.

If you aren’t ready to commit to a book, I strongly recommend watching one of her talks. In this one, she covers some of her research on vulnerability. Vulnerability is essential to having connected authentic meaningful relationships. She’s also a beautiful storyteller.

You can see why I was flattered when compared to her, right? Here are a few of my favorite highlights from her talk:

“Connection is why we are here. It is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” And, vulnerability is the key to connection.

You can’t selectively numb feelings. To numb hard feelings is to turn off joy, love, passion, connection.

The people who have a sense of worthiness and a strong sense of love and belonging believe they are worthy of love and belonging. This was the only factor that set them apart from others who had strong connection.

Children come into the world hardwired for struggle. Struggle is in our DNA, and the greatest gift we can give our kids is not protection from struggle but the confidence that they can fail and stumble and still be worthy of love.

Gina Senarighi, MA, MS, BCC, CMCC, is a relationship coach, a couples counselor, positive psychology blogger, and nonviolent communication trainer who inspires couples to be even stronger together. Through her Portland, Oregon based practice, Amplify Happiness Now, she guides people to bring greater fascination and fulfillment into their lives. Gina also leads small businesses and nonprofits to higher integrity and infinite idea generation and teaches other therapists to use social media wisely. She holds master’s degrees in both counseling and education and is completing her PhD in positive psychology and sex therapist certification. In her free time she gardens, listens to NPR, practices Bikram, and goes on long walks with her sweetheart. Check out her beautiful daily inspirations on: Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest

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