Brave – there are songs and movies and quotes about it. To some degree, everyone wants to be it. And yet, do we really know what it takes to develop that sought after characteristic?
I had a planner recently. For any of you who know me, you know I love all things ‘office-supply.’ I love planners, pens, post-its, markers, etc. On this planner, the cover said, “I Wanna See You Be Brave.” I would often look at that cover and think about what makes one brave.
Merriam-Webster defines brave as: feeling or showing no fear – not afraid – having or showing courage. Courage is defined by Merriam-Webster as: the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous; mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
I think we can learn a lot about bravery and courage from these two definitions.
One of my favorite songs these days is by Sara Bareilles called ‘Brave.’ I’ve included some of the lyrics below.
You can be amazing; you can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug. You can be the outcast, or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love. Or you can start speaking up.
Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do when they settle beneath your skin. Kept on the inside and no sunlight, sometimes a shadow wins. But I wonder what would happen if you say what you wanna say. And the let words fall out; honestly, I wanna see you be brave…
Everybody’s been there, everybody’s been stared down by the enemy; fallen for the fear; and done some disappearing, bow down to the mighty. Don’t run, just stop holding your tongue.
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live. Maybe one of these days you can let the light in; show me how big your brave is.
And since your history of silence won’t do you any good, did you think it would? Let your words be anything but empty. Why don’t you tell them the truth?
Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave with what you wanna say, and let the words fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave.
Clearly from reading these lyrics, we know that she is talking about being brave and telling others the truth. Of course we always want to tell the truth, in love. But I think sometimes, we get so caught up in being politically correct, that we forget the truth needs to be shared. This requires bravery, courage, fearlessness.
So today, if you have words that need to be said, in love, say them. Show me how big your brave is. Tell that person you love them. Say ‘I’m sorry’ to the one that deserves to hear it. Don’t let another day go by without saying the words that need to be said.
