Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen. It’s a deceptively simple idea that flips our entire understanding of bravery on its head. Forget heroic acts; real courage is about daily vulnerability.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote argues that courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about choosing to be present and authentic, even when it’s terrifying.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you. For years, I used to think courage was this big, loud thing. You know, like charging into a burning building. But what Brené is getting at is so much more subtle and, frankly, more difficult. “Showing up” is the first battle. It’s getting out of bed on a hard day. It’s walking into a room where you don’t know anyone. It’s the decision to engage.
But the real kicker is the second part: “letting ourselves be seen.” That’s the vulnerability piece. That’s speaking up in a meeting with an idea you’re not sure is brilliant. It’s having the tough conversation with your partner. It’s admitting you don’t have it all together. This is where the true guts are. It’s armor-off, heart-forward work. And it’s a muscle you have to build every single day.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Personal Development (697) |
| Topics | courage (145), presence (80), vulnerability (47) |
| Literary Style | direct (414), inspirational (54) |
| Emotion / Mood | bold (60), empowering (174) |
| Overall Quote Score | 89 (88) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is pure, 100% authentic Brené Brown. It comes straight from her 2013 audiobook, The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting. You’ll sometimes see it misattributed to her more famous TED talks or books like Daring Greatly, but the core concept of vulnerability-as-courage is the bedrock of all her work. The parenting context is key, because she’s arguing we have to model this behavior for our kids.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion, and Connection (35) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2013; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-1611801053; Last edition: 1st Edition (Sounds True, 2013). Number of pages: 160. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page from 2013 edition, Chapter: The Gift of Courage |