Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience

I recently finished reading Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown.

**POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT**

  Rating: 4/5 stars

"Brown takes us on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances—a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection.

Over the past two decades, Brown's extensive research into the experiences that make us who we are has shaped the cultural conversation and helped define what it means to be courageous with our lives. Atlas of the Heart draws on this research, as well as on Brown's singular skills as a storyteller, to show us how accurately naming an experience doesn't give the experience more power; it gives us the power of understanding, meaning, and choice.

Brown shares, "I want this book to be an atlas for all of us, because I believe that, with an adventurous heart and the right maps, we can travel anywhere and never fear losing ourselves.""

Atlas of the Heart is a beautiful reference book that would look lovely on a coffee table or guestroom nightstand. It’s full of images and diagrams and the like, which make it quite different from Brené Brown’s previous publications.

If you’re still with me but are like, cool, who the heck is Brené Brown, I got you. Dr. Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, where she studies courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, and is the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers. Her TED talk – The Power of Vulnerability – is one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world.

Her books are often shelved as “self-help,” but that never feels right to me. Now self AWARENESS on the other hand, is perfectly apt. Her research illuminates the commonality of human existence, especially the parts people don’t really want to talk about.

Atlas of the Heart can be best described as a dictionary of emotional terms, such as illuminating the differences between envy and jealousy. If etymology and semantics don’t interest you, boredom will likely set in. I will always read (listen to) every book Dr. Brown writes, but her latest is possibly too advanced for those new to her and her work. It’s a great road map for emotional nuances, but not the best on-ramp to the Brené Brown journey of self-awareness.

Check out Atlas of the Heart, and discover what happens when we map out meaningful connections.

Happy Reading :)