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Brave: Start where you are

The opportunity to be brave is all around us. The definition of brave is: having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty: having or showing courage; to endure or face (unpleasant conditions or behavior) without showing fear.

Fear is a part of life, but what we do with that fear is what really matters. We can choose to allow that fear to overcome us and control our lives or we can choose to be brave. Being brave doesn’t mean there is no fear, being brave means that you show strength and do hard things when fear is present. Without fear or unpleasant conditions bravery is not needed.

Fear is something that can cause us to miss out on goals or not set goals at all. We can’t let the fear of failure keep us from trying. Sometimes we don’t even recognize the fear that is stopping us from moving forward. Is it the fear or failure? The fear of not being good enough? The fear of other’s comments or thoughts? Maybe it’s the fear of actually succeeding and not knowing how to handle that or move on.

Acknowledging that fear is the first step to being brave. Write it down, say it out loud, or tell it to someone else. “I am afraid______”

Bravery comes in many forms. You can be brave wearing that outfit or swimsuit you didn’t totally feel confident in. You can be brave making that phone call you have been putting off. You can be brave stepping out the door for your first run. You can be brave going out hiking. You can be brave just facing the day in front of you. The point is that it is your choice to be brave that helps you conquer your fears and do hard things. Bravery is not dependent on the outcome it is dependent on your choice to do it over and over again even when you are afraid. What will you do in that fear? Will you choose to live there or will you choose to be brave.

Now comes the brave part. “I am afraid_______ (List your fear), but I will be brave by_________ (how will you be brave to face that fear)”

So what are you afraid of? How can you be brave?!

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