Brave Enough

Cheryl Strayed might be one of my heroes. Her stories are raw and heartfelt; she writes from the truest place within her and it comes through on every single page. This book, Brave Enough is a pocket-sized collection of quotes that she has curated, anthology style, into a self-described ‘mini instruction manual for the soul’. It’s a book I read cover to cover one evening, and will return to often when I need wisdom or comfort or a kick up the ass. When I was reading it, I experienced this beautiful moment when I felt like the fates had aligned, and I was exactly where I needed to be; Cheryl (this book) quotes Ram Dass (the book I just finished) in her introduction. Sold.

The introduction is magical in and of itself, it’s funny and honest, and really encapsulates Strayed’s deep appreciation for words as the ultimate map, her compass to return to when she feels lost. I’d really recommend this tiny book to everyone, but especially those who might be looking for a little guidance, anyone at a crossroads in search of a divine hand that loves to write motherfucker. Some of my favourite quotes are as follows:

Be brave enough to break your own heart.

The people who don’t give up are the people who find a way to believe in abundance rather than scarcity. They’ve taken into their hearts the idea that there is enough for all of us, that success will manifest itself in different ways for different people, that keeping the faith is more important than cashing the check.

Desperation is unsustainable.

The story of human intimacy is one of constantly allowing ourselves to see those we love most deeply in new, more fractured light. Look hard. Risk that.