‘You have to take risks … We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen… — a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles’
/ P Coehlo
How to define ‘bravery’? On personal levels it could be the act of standing up for oneself, being different, speaking one’s mind, embracing diversity, taking the unknown route, valuing originality or alluring the so-called unconventional. What is the frame for being named brave? Does one need a medal? If so… what would be the scale of a categorisation for the bravery award ceremony? This award goes to …
‘Be brave in challenging your very own limitations’
/ A A Drzewiecka
To teach somebody or to encourage to be brave means that, firstly, the understanding of bravery must be absolutely clear, not to confuse with being adventurous or being resilient, however across many layers those acts show oftentimes doses of similarity. So what does being brave mean? With its multilingual origins reaching the late 15th century, derived from French and Italian word bravo {bold} and Spanish bravo {courageous}, the definition as per English Oxford’s dictionary says
being brave
is to be ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage
Understanding the sense of bravery requires a great depth of self-reflection because of the very personal dimension of such events as facing danger and/or acting courageous demand listening to the still and silently whispering inner voice and actually acting according to its advice. That tiny small voice implies internal bravery. Acknowledging the possibility of an opposition with the loud and echoing voice of the rest of the world. Regardless of all the yelling outside that underestimate our beliefs or chosen paths, listening to that quiet but strong, internal but powerful voice that expresses our very own selves represents being brave …. it might be stepping out from the crowd, it could be losing that sometimes very much needed support, but against all odds it is doing what that inner voice says and holding the head high… Always. Having that carefully nurtured inside courage to be true to oneself despite any pressure or danger … the kind of bravery that allows to always remain true to oneself.
Living a brave life does not come easy when the temptation and the simplicity of following others is so omni-present … choosing bravery implies intelligence and resilience, it requires constant decisions, accountabilities and facing consequences … but most of all it stands for utter authenticity … in its purest form of beauty… individuality.
‘Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been ‘
/ A Alda
The pure satisfaction of being brave enough to stop apologising for being different and just being authentic evokes the meaning of bravery … {to be treated with care, an attention and a personal touch}
