First Book of The Month; The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. 

Why do I love The Gifts of Imperfection? Let me count the ways! The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown is a book that changed my adult life. My first experience with The Gifts was in 2013 with a workshop she did on Oprah’s website. I was 48 years old……struggling with all of the negative shit that society throws your way when you enter ‘middle-age. I was a place where I knew I had so much that I wanted to do, give, and be. Yet, the world sent me signals that what was expected of me was to slow down and become invisible, which was not an option. After the six-week course, I decided to be brave and chase a life-long dream. I enrolled in my very first college course, determined to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.

It has taken me eight years, but I reached my goal and graduated with honors in May. Today, I am re-rereading the updated book, listening to The Gifts of Imperfection Summer Sister Series on Spotify, and working on my second goal. A few of the life-changing lessons I learned during the original workshop are; what perfectionism is and isn’t, the importance of creativity, vulnerability, and owning our stories. One of my favorite quotes is on page 55 of the original book; “authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” I am in love with this sentence- it’s a permission slip to love who I am and thrive because I am authentically me!