petit fours on 9/11

There's a bakery in Houston that makes the most delicious petit fours that you'll ever taste. The smell alone will knock you off of your feet. In fact, when Charlie walked in the door the first thing he said was, "If angels wear perfume, I bet it smells like this." I'm sure he's right!

My 9/11 tradition is to buy a couple dozen petit fours and drop them off at a local fire station with a note that simply says, "We appreciate you." 

Today is the official release of Daring Greatly. The original date was 9/13, but due to the pre-orders (thank you SO much) it moved to what the publishing industry calls a "strict on sale" date. Those are always on Tuesday, so 9/11 became the day. I'm so incredibly excited to celebrate this week, but today is about something else for me. 

I started my research right before 9/11 and if there's one thing I've learned over the past decade, it's this: We're still in a lot of fear and pain about the events that took place that day and how they marked a huge change in our world. I also learned that the best way to overcome fear and to heal hurt is by practicing gratitude and kindness.

In this big, loud, anxious world, the small things matter so much. 

Comments

[Lindsey]

Gosh, yes. What a marvelous tradition. Mostly, this reminds me of something I know to be true: that even though it feels counter-intuitive, sometimes, when we feel the most fearful and inward, there is much to be gained by turning around, reaching out, and realizing all the good we hold in our hands. Thanks for that reminder. xox

[Janet K]

What a great tradition! I am off to the bookstore to get your book today. I hope to see you when you are in Denver!

[Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams]

What a lovely tradition and reminder. Thanks, Brene.

[Jane@7Of]

You are lovely. Thank you for the light you bring to the world.

[Becky]

Hi Brene. I want you to know that I appreciate YOU. The Gifts of Imperfection was so very resonant for me, and for several friends that I've given the book to. Your work has touched my world for sure. Its helped me to come back to love and wholeheartedness on a daily basis. Thanks for sharing your light with us. Looking forward to reading Daring Greatly!
All my best,
Becky.

[Deb]

Mmm ... yes. (in so many ways.) <3

[Lori]

Brene, what an awesome tradition, thank you for that and this post. You are so right when you say, "we're still in a lot of fear and pain about the events that took place that day and how they marked a huge change in our world." And, I agree wholeheartedly that the "best way to overcome fear and to heal hurt is by practicing gratitude and kindness." I try to do it every day. Your post inspires me. :-)

[Meenal Jhala]

Brene, you are wonderful! Deeds of kindness go a long way in spreading love, peace and harmony. God bless and continue the good work! You make me proud of our global humanity.

[Diana]

What an awesome tradition. I love it!

Congrats about the bump in release date, too. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

[JillP]

That is such a beautiful tradition Brene! I love the idea of using gratitude to uplift spirits - especially on the days that bring feelings of fear and sadness. Thank you!
I can't wait to start reading Daring Greatly! It made me so happy to see it waiting on my Kindle this morning!

[Violet]

Thank you for this, Brene. I woke up feeling oddly disconnected and sad about the anniversary. I set an intention to make it through and live the day well, but I wasnt sure how that was going to happen. You have reminded me that gratitude is the best medicine. Thank you.

[Abigail Carter]

And we appreciate you Brené! Thanks for all you do.
Abby

[heather]

Yes, so much fear and pain about that day. Such a strange day 11 years ago. I had a miscarriage that morning before the towers fell... and then they did. But only my husband knew because it was such an early miscarriage. I have this personal tragedy within the collective one and it's surreal and odd to remember it on 9/11. I never talk of it because it's such a "normal" tragedy in comparison and there was no time for miscarriages that day. I've learned that it did no good to me or other women who experience this tragedy to minimize it. I've also reflected that there is a touch of shame involved for me: that my tragedy is not as great as what we experienced as a collective worldwide community but I still needed to grieve for my sake. Strange how there can even be shame in these places.

I like what you do for the heros of 9/11. I think we need to be mindful of lesser-known heros that day and try to celebrate them too as appropriate.

[Deb K]

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

[Linda]

I loved this, especially the part about overcoming fear and hurt with kindness and gratitude. I am a "mature" counseling student in my last few months of practicum and I'm working at a women's shelter. Your videos and books have forever changed my expectations of me, the world and my adult children. Thank you for breathing life back into us and teaching us that it's okay to be human. Next year, hopefully I can attend the national training and start my certification process. SO MANY could be helped by your wonderful work.

Linda

[The Got Passport Family]

In 2001, I was working at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston as an Oncology Social Worker. I remember that day vividly from the time I drove to work to the end of the day (and days followed) of having feelings of vulnerability, helplessness and sadness.

I love what your son had to say about angel's perfume. What a beautiful way to appreciate something. And a beautiful tradition indeed for every September 11. When we return to the US, I'd want to adopt a similar family tradition annually as well. I have not tried this bakery so next time I'm back in Houston, Texas, it's on my list of places to try.

I agree with you about practicing gratitude and kindness. That is how we live our lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand on a daily basis.

Sending you and your lovely family some loving kindness from our family in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

[Jana]

I got my bookmark and sticker in the mail on my way out to lunch; when I came back Daring Greatly popped into my Kindle queue :-). can't wait to read. thanks so much!

[MaryAnn]

Ah, Moeller's Bakery... how I miss thee.

-Texan Living in the Diaspora

[Kathrine Aspaas]

Lots of love from Norway on this special day.
You bring so much courage and spirit to people, Brené!
I spread your word wherever I go.
Kindness - belonging - gratitude.
This is true Ubuntu - "I am because you are".

[alyssa]

was thinking of your work long before i saw this post, as i walked home from our local firehouse after baking them a banana bread. dang, firemen are cute. anyway, i was in nyc on 9/11 and went straight into my crisis mode: pragmatic and motivated, and smiling. late that day, after being stuck in the city till they opened the bridges back up, i walked back home, miles and miles, from upper manhattan. i did not cry. i have watched every single show about 9/11, read any article i can get my hands on. i have spent 12 years waiting for it to process, but it's pretty obvious it's never going to process. and even though i know that my feelings are normal and acceptable, they fill me with shame. that's when i started baking for the firehouse on this day. i hand them my bread or cookies, they smile, i choke up. helps the shame go away.

[TheresaEH]

I still DONOT understand why anyone would do what happened on 9/11!! I prefer to read the stories of how so many ordinary people rose up to the challenge on that day and saved lives!!!!!!!!
I have ordered your books from the library to take a peek thru'em.

[Julia]

Congrats on the launch of your new book Brene! I can't wait to read it! I've found your other books completely life changing!

xo

[Ellen Delap]

Gratitude inspires us all to make a difference. I love the idea of sharing gratitude for an important day.

[Lori Wenner]

What a wonderful way to remember those who serve us everyday. I am attending a writing workshop in the museum district of Houston and would love the visit the bakery. Can you send me the name? Blessings to you for your work, you have changed my life.

[Ami Bradley]

Looking forward to your book. Just realizing u live in Houston. Must be close to me since u were at Moeller's bakery! Yum. I drive by daily and must resist the urge to stop in!

[Tess]

You are so AWESOME!!!!!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!
I love, love, love Charlie's sentiment also! :-P
thank you, you made my day!

[Sass]

As the wife of a volunteer fire fighter, thank you. We're not in the US, but after the Black Saturday bushfires out here our station was donated a whole lot of food and while the support was appreciated at the time there have been so many other tough days during the year and people seem to forget about all the horrible jobs - we had 3 fatal car accidents around here in 6 weeks - they turn out to that aren't on the front page of the paper for a month. Anniversaries and other triggering events are particularly hard. So thank you for being appreciative. They'd do it anyway, but helps when you know the people in your community are behind you.

[Jeanette W. Stickel]

What a beautiful post, as always. I shared a story for children on my blog this week, about friendship and understanding between cultures. It was inspired by the 9/11 events and the racial tensions that followed. I hope you'll take a look: http://speakwellreadwell.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-rope-of-friendship.html