Be Brave...But What Is Bravery for You?

Do you ever feel like every move you make requires bravery? You hear people say, “Be brave,” but that sounds monumental, maybe even exhausting. Certainly scary.

Sometimes bravery is just getting out of bed in the morning. Sometimes it is sharing the words I feel I’m supposed to say to someone. Bravery can be hugging your child and admitting you’re wrong and you’re sorry. It can be sending your book to your beta readers (as I have this month) and feeling nauseous over what they’ll think. And bravery can be trying something completely new.

I have been bleeding bravery, lately. I had my first ever writing workshop. It was a small, intimate group, and while knew it was the right step to take (not only for myself but also for every writer who attended), it was a whole new adventure for me.

I’m not the type to love getting up in front of people. I like sitting behind the scenes (or computer as it were) to create. While I’ve fantasized about being a performer, it’s been almost two decades since I’ve taken the stage. And that was in theater…not me talking and teaching and staring people in the eye.

But in order to help those around me be brave, I must first take the step of bravery, stepping on to the invisible pathway in front of me with faith that it will not only hold me but those who are following close behind.

I’m excited for a new journey. But…..I am not a naturally brave person. For me, bravery feels a lot like this picture.

Being brave is stepping out, then feeling like screaming a lot, sometimes even crying a lot, then picking myself up and putting on bravery again.

I am the girl who would easily stand against the wall at a party and observe every one else having fun. I would rather sit in the cabin reading and drinking coffee than ski down the mountain. My nature is to shy away, hold back, and stick to me and mine.

But the desires and dreams inside force me to learn bravery. (And it is learned.) Bravery doesn’t happen every day. Some days I want to walk as far away from the new and adventurous as I can get. Some days I don’t feel brave, and I don’t feel like putting on a brave face either. Can you relate?

So why be brave when I don’t feel brave?

The reason I choose courage and bravery is because I want my kids to see me stepping out and not holding back. I want them to know we can do even more than we think we can. I want my kids to see me running after dreams and marking goals and turning them into reality.

I choose to be brave for the people who are watching me. The ones I know and the ones I don’t know. Because if I can be brave, then I know others can too.

Your bravery isn’t only about you. Others are watching. They are waiting to see if you’ll take that step. They’re waiting to step with you.

“Courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is feeling the fear and stepping out anyway.” What do you feel you need to step into?

Let’s be brave together. I’ll hold your hand if you’ll hold mine!