Rising Strong by Brené Brown

 This is a follow-up book to Ms Brown's well known titles, The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly.  In this one Ms Brown tackles the issue of what to do when you experience a severe setback or loss. She talks about a lot of themes she covered in earlier books, like owning your story, leaning into vulnerability, and letting go of shame.  In this book she applies them to three steps for rising up from disappointment. Reckoning includes acknowleging and becoming curious about the emotions you are feeling.  Rumbling is when you figure out how those feelings relate to the story your tell about yourself, and accessing whether the story you are telling yourself is true. Revolution: Once you find the truth about yourself, you make the changes that truth demands in the way you think about yourself and the world. We rewrite our story to emerge stronger and more openhearted because of our crisis. 

This book had a lot of messages that resonated with me right now.  I was especially impressed with her story of trying to figure out why it was so difficult for her to actually look at homeless people. She discovered that she couldn't see homeless people as people because she was constantly denying that she is someone who could or would ask for help. That is me too.  I love to help others but find it very difficult to ask for help.  As a result, when I help others I am always second guessing whether I am actually helping them or just making them feel bad.  Ms Brown's writing is open and personal.  She practices what she preaches about being honest and vulnerable with others.  I would and do recommend Ms Brown's books  to a lot of people who are looking to improve their view of the world and themselves. (2015, 336 p.)