I’m a curious person by nature. I remember getting in trouble for asking, “Why?”
I still ask a lot of questions. How about you? See? Another question!
Now I get to ask questions in my work. As a coach, I listen, ask questions of my clients, and help them discover their next action step in work, life & faith. It’s the best career for a curious person.
So here’s my question for you: What was a recent brave thing you did?
Was it getting out of bed this morning to face a daunting to do list? Was it dealing with a difficult person at work? Or facing the fact that your parent is declining quicker than anyone was ready for?
Being brave doesn’t just mean dealing with BIG struggles. Being brave can come in quiet ways, too.
My most recent brave thing happened today.
Today is my birthday. You might think, ‘How did you have to be brave on your birthday?’ It starts with a memory.
When I was little I used to announce a countdown to my birthday, beginning two months ahead of the big day! I wanted to make sure EVERYONE knew my birthday was coming and just how old I was going to be. My Mom would make whatever flavor of birthday cake I wanted, even if I wanted two flavors. One year, my 9th birthday, she made a layer cake with one layer of chocolate and one layer of banana cake with whipped cream and fresh banana slices in between with chocolate frosting all around. That was amazing, and obviously memorable.
I suspect she went out of her way that year because we had just moved to a new part of town and I was in a new school. My birthday comes only a month into the school year and as a new student, I hadn’t made friends to ask to a party. Sad. So my Mom went out of her way to make our family time special.
Even as I write this I’m tearing up because I realize how the past 11 birthdays have not been the same since my Mom & Dad died. I guess I try to be brave and cover over the sadness so I’m not a downer, but in reality, I miss them.
We had a crazy, complicated, and dysfunctional family. But it was my family. I’ve supported the livelihoods of several counselors through the years (other brave stories) as I’ve worked through family of origin stuff, but they were still my family, and in spite of the crazy, I love them.
My brave act today was smiling through the sadness.
I’m so fortunate to have a wonderful husband who took the day off so we could drive to the coast and walk on the beach. I am so fortunate to have two amazing sons who both called to wish me a Happy Birthday. I am so fortunate to have loving cousins who sent me cards and SO MANY LOVING FRIENDS who mailed cards, texted, or commented on social media, sharing loving thoughts. Such a great birthday!
I still ask the questions of God though.
Why?
Why did they have to die so young? Why was life so complicated? Why so much pain?
All the questions of a curious person.
I saw this planter at the retreat center I visited last weekend.
It’s on a beautiful prayer path with a sign post that poses a new Way to be brave:
Instead of asking Why in the face of pain, move to asking, What?
What do you want to do through this situation? What can I learn? What can bring you glory in these hard circumstances?
Being brave may be a private act of trust; looking to God in spite of the sadness we face and placing our hope in the One who redeems all things, which includes our sadness.
What brave act have you experienced or witnessed? As Annie says in her book, 100 Days to Brave
When we see brave out in the world, it inspires us.
Share what inspires you. It just may help someone else to be brave, too.