You may not have signed up for a hero’s journey, but the second you fell down, got your butt kicked, suffered a disappointment, screwed up, or felt your heart break, it started. It doesn’t matter whether we are ready for an emotional adventure—hurt happens. And it happens to every single one of us. Without exception. The only decision we get to make is what role we’ll play in our own lives: Do we want to write the story, or do we want to hand that power over to someone else? Choosing to write our own story means getting uncomfortable; it’s choosing courage over comfort.

More quotes by Brené Brown

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"Choose the great adventure of being brave and afraid at the exact same time."

- Brené Brown

Courage

"Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen."

- Brené Brown

Courage

"Every new day invites us to step out of our comfort zone and embrace new experiences that expand our horizons."

- Brené Brown

New Beginnings

"I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude."

- Brené Brown

Happiness

"You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging."

- Brené Brown

Self-esteem

More Taking Risks Quotes

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"You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute."

- Tina Fey

Taking Risks

"You cannot plow a field by turning it over in your mind. To begin, begin."

- Gordon B. Hinckley

Taking Risks

"Do not wait for the perfect time and place to enter, for you are already onstage."

Taking Risks

"If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more."

- Erica Jong

Taking Risks

"If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever."

- Thomas Aquinas

Taking Risks