“True Belonging” she says in her book is a belonging that leaves room for people to feel free to express their differences. And she identifies this standing alone, with no or little social support, as “the wilderness.” In much of this book, Brown talks about the high price of standing alone, but also the great rewards… She came to understand and agree with Maya Angelou’s “you belong every place, – no place at all.” Often, it is best to stand is apart from the group – when what you believe and stand for is different from what the group stands for.

But as she got older, she found that she had a voice, opinions, and an identity apart from any group, and that to feel fulfilled, she had to express herself, often with perspectives that her group did not agree with. The reward is great.įor a long time, this quote baffled her – she was so drawn to the need to belong, the idea of not belonging being a positive was anathema. Y ou are only free when you realize you belong no place – you belong every place – no place at all. She refers several times in the book to a quote by Maya Angelou: As she says in the title, “The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone.” This book explores that contradiction and what it means to truly belong. In this book she explores this very human social impulse while also exploring its opposite – the need to stand apart from a group and be independent – to NOT be part of a group. My Impressions: Brene Brown begins with her own experiences as a child desperately wanting to “belong” and be a member of a group, and her emotional disappointments when that didn’t work out. This standing alone is the metaphorical “wilderness” – and it takes courage to be truly authentic, to leave the comfort of the group to go there, often alone, in order to live with honesty, courage and integrity.

She also explores the seeming contradictory need to stand apart from our chosen group(s) for what we believe in, when the group is going in different directions. Brene Brown takes a “deep dive” into our need to feel connected to other people and social groups, and something greater than ourselves. Summary in 4 sentences: The subtitle to this book is “The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone” which sums up the main theme of this book. Why this book: It was selected by the All American Leadership Faculty Reading group I belong to.

The wilderness brene brown