Emotional Bravery
I want to spend some time talking about bravery. In the movies, bravery (or courage) is shown as someone running into a dangerous situation to save a life. While this is one important form of bravery, this is not the type of bravery we face on a daily basis.
Merriam-Webster defines bravery and courage as “the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty.”
The type of bravery I find most exciting is emotional bravery (facing fear or difficulty). I’m a really big fan and seriously don’t think there is any trait more admirable.
I believe if we glorified facing our fears and difficulties the same way we glorify facing danger, the world would be a better place.
Brene Brown, one my favorite authors and teachers, has this to say:
“Courage is contagious. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver.”
There are brave people who walk among us regularly, and that inspires me greatly.
I often find it interesting when I hear people say, “I’m not brave! I feel fear all the time when I’m doing [xyz]!”
To anyone who is thinking this, I say: YES, and yet you keep doing it! THAT’S what makes you brave! It’s not really brave if you’re not scared!
Chances are, you are braver than you think. You’re reading this blog, which tells me that you are introspective, and that, in itself, is brave.
Here’s the thing about bravery. It’s like a muscle. We have everything we need within us to cultivate it. The more we practice bravery, the less scary it becomes, and the more we feel it in our lives. (This is true for love, too, and that’s in a future blog!)
We have the opportunity to practice bravery all the time.
Here are a few ways you can work on the bravery muscle:
Learn to feel scary feelings. When scary emotions come up, pause, turn within and notice where this feeling is in your body. Just observe it - you don’t have to do anything with it. Simply witnessing scary emotions is brave, and gives your body a chance to process the emotion fully. Even trying this from time to time is a big deal!
Be willing to have uncomfortable conversations when they are necessary for healing. Although it can be scary at first, relationships become stronger when two people can vulnerably speak from the heart and work through a difficult situation. The good news is that these types of conversations really do become easier with practice.
Look at something you want in your life and take steps to achieve that dream… like perhaps Manifesting the Love of Your Life! It is AMAZING to be willing to look at that dream from the inside out and work towards making it a reality. I totally admire you for doing that! And, in case I’m not making myself clear, THIS IS BRAVE WORK YOU ARE DOING!
Please don’t underestimate the importance of this! Pat yourself on the back! Not everyone lives their lives this way. Many are content to never look too deeply at themselves for fear of what they might see.
Recognizing and honing emotional bravery sets you up perfectly to meet your soulmate. This muscle will just keep getting stronger, and you will be ready to bravely open up and fully share who you are with that person who deserves to see your full greatness. It will help you have the tender, vulnerable conversations that are necessary at times. And it will make you more resilient.
Learn to love this bravery. Hold it tight and say thank you for it.
I thank you for it. I’m so grateful for you.
Love and light,
Catherine