Gratitude Is A Practice
Topic: Gratitude
Gratitude is a practice, not a feeling. You can’t just decide to be grateful and then suddenly be grateful. It’s a muscle that you have to exercise. And the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.
Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, where she holds the Huffington Foundation – Brené Brown Endowed Chair at The Graduate College of Social Work. Additionally, she serves as a visiting professor in management at The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. Brown's academic roles are extensions of her deeper mission to explore the themes of courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Her research is not just data and theories; it's an invitation to engage with the very elements that make us human.
Brown has spent two decades contributing to our understanding of emotional and social dynamics through her research and writing. She is the author of five books that have risen to the top of the New York Times bestseller list: "The Gifts of Imperfection," "Daring Greatly," "Rising Strong," "Braving the Wilderness," and "Dare to Lead." These works offer pragmatic insights into the nature of human connection. They encourage the reader to embrace their own vulnerabilities, pointing out that it's often in these spaces of uncertainty and risk that we discover our capacity for love and belonging.
Beyond the page, Brown expands her reach through various platforms. Her TED talk, "The Power of Vulnerability," has been viewed more than 50 million times worldwide. She also hosts two podcasts, "Unlocking Us" and "Dare to Lead," providing a space for ongoing discussions about the complexities of the human experience. In 2019, she broke new ground with her Netflix special, "The Call to Courage," becoming the first researcher to present a filmed lecture on the streaming service. Through all these avenues, Brown underscores the need for a heart-centered approach to life, one that makes room for both the challenges and the beauty of our shared human journey.
Braving the Wilderness
Brown, Brené. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone. Penguin Random House, 2018. P 103.
Brené Brown
Theme: Gratefulness
Brené Brown, The Practice of Gratitude [Shorter Commentary]
In her book Braving the Wilderness, Brené Brown (2018) argues that gratitude is a practice, not a feeling. She suggests that we need to cultivate gratitude as a habit, rather than relying on it to simply feel good in the moment. Brown argues that gratitude is a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly in order to grow stronger.
The quote “Gratitude is a practice, not a feeling” means that gratitude is something that we need to work at, rather than something that just happens to us. We can’t simply wait for the feeling of gratitude to come to us; we need to make a conscious effort to be grateful. This means paying attention to the good things in our lives, and expressing our gratitude for them.
In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown (2010) writes that “gratitude is a spiritual practice because it connects us to something larger than ourselves.” She goes on to say that “The practice of gratitude can help us to see the world through a lens of possibility, hope, and wonder.”
Brené Brown, The Practice of Gratitude [Longer Commentary}
There are many benefits to practicing gratitude, including improved mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as stronger relationships and a greater sense of meaning in life.
There are many ways to practice gratitude, such as keeping a gratitude journal, writing letters of gratitude, doing kind things for others, spending time in nature, and simply taking a few minutes each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for.
The quote “Gratitude is a practice, not a feeling” is a reminder that gratitude is something that we need to work at. However, the benefits of practicing gratitude are many, and it is well worth the effort.
Gratitude can help us to connect with our values and to find meaning in our lives. It can also help us to be more positive and optimistic, reduce stress and anxiety, improve our sleep, and strengthen our relationships.
In conclusion, gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. By practicing gratitude, we can improve our mental, emotional, and physical health. We can also connect with our values and find meaning in our lives.
Brené Brown, Gratitude as a Spiritual practice
In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown (2010) writes that “gratitude is a spiritual practice because it connects us to something larger than ourselves.” She goes on to say that “The practice of gratitude can help us to see the world through a lens of possibility, hope, and wonder.”
Brown’s view of gratitude as a spiritual practice is based on her belief that we are all interconnected. She argues that when we practice gratitude, we are not only acknowledging the good things in our lives, but we are also connecting with something larger than ourselves. This can be a source of great comfort and strength, especially during difficult times.
Additional Quotes from Brené Brown
Here are several additional quotes by Brené Brown that epitomize her understanding of gratitude:
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