Melissa here. Before I even start this review, I want to tell you something:
MAKE TIME TO READ.
My latest read, Dr. Brené Brown’s “Braving The Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone,” is the reason you have to make time to read. Now, I can get to the review.
5 out of 5 stars
If I could give this book higher than five stars, I would. Honestly, I think everyone should read this book, because the world would be a better place. Let me walk you through a few of my favorite takeaways.
To really “brave the wilderness,” Brown walks us through four elements, which are each chapters in her book:
People Are Hard to Hate Close Up. Move In.
In this chapter, Brown talks about the incredibly divisive world we live, and what we can do to stop dehumanizing one another. She also includes a powerful interview with Viola Davis who says:
“We are all worthy of telling our stories and having them heard. We all need to be seen and honored in the same way that we all need to breathe.”
Speak Truth to Bullshit. Be Civil.
This chapter explores the lesson of words being the ultimate weapon. She gives a few examples of this, but one stuck out to me most. It was about a son who verbally attacked his father for calling a neighbor he was helping “Oriental.” Instead of engaging his father in a civil conversation about how the term is outdated, both shut down. This stuck out to me, because I think the son was trying to speak truth to bullshit, but in excluding civility, ended up adding to the bullshit.
Hold Hands With Strangers.
This chapter was emotional for me. Brown talks about a few times in her life where she came together with strangers to mourn, celebrate, collaborate, and more. The one that stuck out to me was her recollection of the Challenger explosion. She was driving down FM 1960 in Houston, and a bunch of people were pulled off to the side of road. She joined them and learned the space shuttle had exploded. Together, they sat there for 10-15 minutes and just cried and grieved together. Then, they returned to their cars. Despite the tragedy, there’s beauty in coming together with complete strangers and being there for each other because it’s the right thing to do.
Strong Back. Soft Front. Wild Heart.
This chapter is harder to explain – you just have to read it! It talks about how achieving a wild heart isn’t a one-time effort. It’s something you have to work at every day. There will be days when there are haters, but be true to yourself, let attacks roll off you, and continue your quest for true belonging and the courage to stand alone.
I’m hoping to get Joey to read this one soon! It’s one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. I’ve been coming back to it everyday to remind me how to be true to myself.
You should totally BUY IT HERE.
Life, Eats, & Dog Treats 
I absolutely love her. Great review, thanks. 🙂
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Excellent review! I, too, enjoyed this book so much that I reviewed it as well. We both chose to include the excerpt that “true belonging doesn’t require that we change who we are, it requires that we be who we are.” Thank you for writing your post. Be brave!
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