B is for Brave

Brave

Possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

Some days we don't even think about all the things we've encountered in our lives that contribute to our bravery.  It's a good lesson for our spirits to look back on the challenges we've grown from and came through victoriously.  It may be a small challenge that we've overcome, but take a few minutes every day to go over your brave list and encourage yourself to take one more step forward.

The challenges you've been brave enough to conquer are very much a part of the person you've grown into.  I've been through challenges in my life where I was completely and totally sure that I wouldn't be able to take one more breath, that there was no way I could face another minute of the challenge, yet I did, I got through it, I survived, and I've taken many breaths since.

Being brave doesn't mean that I'm some tough old broad with no feelings.  It means that no matter what might be going on inside my neurotic mind, that I've somehow found the courage within myself to take one more breath, one more step, and just kept pushing through it.  Life has taught me, and of course continues to teach me (some lessons worse than others) that I can get through anything if I just put my feet on the floor and make it happen.  I can't get lost in the mind fuck that sometimes happens in a tough situation, I have to remember to breathe and just keep moving.  It doesn't even matter what direction I'm moving as long as I keep breathing, keep focused on what matters most, and what the end game is.

Being brave doesn't mean fighting every battle.  Sometimes being brave means having the strength to walk away from the battle with your head held high knowing that you've done what is best for your own well being.  To be brave enough to face whatever might come from walking away, and whatever what might be required of you next.

Being brave doesn't mean putting on a front, it means being secure enough to say out loud that you're afraid, but at the same time your moving through it.  Keep surrounding yourself with others that help or push you to be brave.  My husband is a huge cheerleader for me.  He encourages me that I can climb the hill, I can reach the top of the bridge, I can let a giant parachute pull me behind a boat.  I can do all that I want to do and then some.


Here are some greatest hits from my brave list:

• I survived two relationships filled with domestic abuse before I was 21
• Ive para-sailed and zip lined
• I've walked away from people who mattered because they didn't serve my greater good
• I slept in a tent for a week in the woods of TN
• I've climbed huge mountains and taken unbelievable hikes
• I started college at 46 years old
• I manged to live after my mothers death, even though I thought I might not.
• I've made the Deans List 4 times....5 times now (edited to add)  :)
• I've more or less conquered the fear of having dead spots in my brain
• I got through the fear that my body attacks itself
• I've battled and won my own drug addictions
• I've realized that I matter
• I wake up every morning to start a new day

 Today is a good day to start your brave list and see just how strong you really are.  You might be surprised and find the encouragement you need to take another breath.