When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice.
Bren BrownRead
Worrying about scarcity is our culture's version of post-traumatic stress. It happens when we've been through too much, and rather than coming together to heal (which requires vulnerability) we're angry and scared and at each other's throats.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Worrying about not having enough can lead to fear and anger instead of healing through vulnerability.
Brené Brown's quote highlights the impact of scarcity mindset on individuals and society. It suggests that when people have faced hardships, instead of uniting to heal through openness and vulnerability, they often become defensive, fearful, and hostile toward one another. This reaction can create a culture of division rather than a community built on support and understanding.
Themes
ScarcityVulnerabilityFearAngerHealing
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a mental health workshop to discuss the importance of vulnerability.
More from Bren Brown
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Social media has given us this idea that we should all have a posse of friends when in reality, if we have one or two really good friends, we are lucky.
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What we know matters but who we are matters more.
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Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.
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Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.
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