When we are willing to risk vulnerability, we open ourselves up to more than just potential hurt. It’s the secret, counter-intuitive doorway to the very things we want most: deep love and real joy. You can’t get one without the other.
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Meaning
You can’t selectively numb emotion. The wall you build to keep out pain and vulnerability also, inevitably, blocks love and joy from getting in.
Explanation
Look, here’s the thing I’ve seen over and over. We think vulnerability is a weakness. It’s that feeling you get right before you say “I love you” first, or when you’re about to share a crazy creative idea with your team. Your heart pounds. You feel exposed. The instinct is to pull back, to protect yourself. But that’s the exact moment of truth. Brown’s research shows that the people who lean into that discomfort—who are willing to risk it—are the exact same people who report experiencing deeper connection, more profound love, and more authentic joy in their lives. It’s not that they don’t feel fear. They just understand that the reward is on the other side of it. It’s the price of admission to a wholehearted life.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Love (89) |
| Topics | trust (147), vulnerability (47) |
| Literary Style | poetic (635), simple (291) |
| Emotion / Mood | encouraging (304), tender (51) |
| Overall Quote Score | 86 (262) |
Origin & Factcheck
This wisdom comes straight from the research of Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston. It’s a central theme in her 2013 audiobook, The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting. You won’t find this quote misattributed to other authors; it’s pure Brown, born from years of studying courage, shame, and empathy.
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 | When we are willing to risk vulnerability, we open ourselves up to love and joy |
| 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: Vulnerability and Love |