July Blogging Challenge – Word a Day

Have you ever stopped to think what was the bravest moment in your life?  Or what does it mean to be brave?  In the media and society we often give awards for bravery to those who undertake death defying feats, or save others from burning buildings or go and fight wars for our countries.  And yes, there is no denying that they are the actions of brave people, or that they are acts of bravery.  But, have you ever paused to ponder how bravery looks like in your own every day life?

Let’s look at a definition of the word ‘brave’.  

The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘brave’ thusly:

1.  Ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage

1.  Endure or face (unpleasant conditions or behaviour) without showing fear.  

I believe as soon as we see the word ‘danger’ linked with the word brave we automatically think of the most horrific situations people can be put in that they need to be courageous in.  However, I want you to take a step back and consider for a moment that perhaps, for some, that waking up in the morning is a huge step of courage.  There are those who live with a chronic illness or live in unstable domestic situations who face each day bravely and if they get through the day with not much trouble, consider it a win.  They may brush it off as how life is, but I personally think it’s a form of bravery.  

My husband is one of those people.  I honestly don’t think I could go through life the way he does with his health condition.  It’s often difficult just seeing it second hand.  He does say that having me in his life makes a difference, but…he was working and doing things even before we met.  So, brave he is.  

Bravery can show up in small everyday moments as well.  In my own world it shows up in the moment that I strike up the courage to call someone on the phone.  Or speak up about something at work.  Or even just voice my own views about a particular subject.  

Yes, viewing braveness in this way seems to be counterintuitive.  I by no means am trying to lessen the impact of the big, brave acts of the people we see as heroes.  I just think we need to understand that life in and of itself is a journey where we step out without fear and try to make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others.