Last week I focused on a book near and dear to my heart, The Artist’s Way, and previewed a few writing prompts I gleaned from each chapter.

Today I will do the same with Brene Brown’s bestseller, The Gifts of Imperfection.

For those who might be unfamiliar with Ms. Brown’s work, she is an expert on shame research.

Shame? I thought. I don’t suffer from shame. But after reading this book (three times and counting), I discovered shame is prevalent in my life.

Brown’s simplified definition crystalizes its harmful effects:

• Guilt acknowledges poor behavior – I did something bad – and is helpful in making amends.
• Shame, on the other hand, says I am bad and prevents us from living authentic lives.

Understanding shame is instrumental to another dichotomy Brown discusses:

• Belonging means being accepted for who we are. Belonging cultivates authenticity
• Fitting in, on the other hand, means becoming someone else in order to find acceptance. Fitting in breeds shame and low-esteem.

The Gifts of Imperfection is a must-read book if you are interested in whole-hearted living and accepting who you are meant to be. The author breaks down this process into ten Guideposts for living, each one focusing on a trait we must learn to cultivate, as well as a trait we must learn to release.

A simple outline of these chapters is found below – and the prompt questions are simple:

• How can I cultivate ________ in my life? … Or put another way…
• Why do I avoid cultivating ________ in my life? In what way do I feel underserving?
• How can I release _________ in my life? …Or put another way…
• Why do I continue to hold on to ________ in my life? What purpose does it serve?

Working through these guideposts little-by-little will help bring emotional healing of a broken past and hope for a brighter future.