I am trying to do one brave thing every day.
My younger daughter processes everything out loud. She needs lots of encouragement and is smart enough to surround herself with people who are willing to do that for her. When she was little and had about worn me out one day with her worries, complaints, aches, pains and fears, I told her that I didn’t know what else I could do for her. Whatever it was, I couldn’t fix it. She said to me these words that have continued to be our mantra to one another “Mom, I just need you to tell me that I’m a brave soldier.” As she grew up and faced down some pretty scary demons of her own, I have said those words over and over and over until she claimed them for herself. She is one of the bravest people I know.
When I looked up the definition of brave just now, I found these words: “ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage. As in ‘a brave soldier'” I smiled when I saw the example they had used. When I think about the times I am called to be brave, I find that often the danger is more perception that reality. The scariest things for me are often the risk of being vulnerable and allowing myself to be seen as lacking in some way.
Brave is a relative term. We would all agree that a person serving on a battlefield or fighting cancer would require a large degree of bravery. However, the need for bravery is not always that black and white. For one person, for example, standing up in front of a crowd to deliver a presentation would be easy and for another, would require all the bravery they could muster. Spending the night in a tent sounds like recreation to some, others would find that an occasion to dig deep for courage. I, for instance, would be in the latter category. 🙂 What is easy for you, may be scary for me.
So, here is my brave thing for today. I am going to tell you my dream.
In this next season of my life, I want to lead groups, workshops and retreats for people who are stuck being all things to all people and feel like they have lost themselves in the process. A place to recharge and connect with others in a way that confirms that we are all in this together; we are not alone in our struggles. I want to make a space for us to dig deep and ask ourselves questions like these: What is working in our life and what just feels too hard? What are the negative voices in our head telling us about who we are? What lights us up and makes us feel alive? What drains us and makes us feel incompetent? How does comparison with others get in the way of connection with others? Why is it so hard to be real with other people? How do we give ourselves a break? From where do we gain strength? Where does our faith in God fit into all this or does it? What kind of legacy do we want to leave for our kids? What is our story and how do we find ways to make our story better?
I’m not sure yet about all the details, but that is my vision.
As some of you might know, in my former life I was a clinical social worker. I worked in a variety of settings and saw people in individual, group and family settings. I love working with groups and I am good at it. When I think about the things I have done in the volunteer world, the things that light me up are the opportunities I have had to work with groups of people who are trying to find a way to encourage and lift each other up in our common struggles. We all want to feel heard and I want to give people a space to have that experience.
So, there it is. I said it out loud, my one brave thing for today.
If you think you might be interested in attending a workshop or retreat like this, let me know. I am going to start a list of interested people and plan a one day workshop for the first of the year. Email me at KellyJohnson1@verizon.net if you want to be on the list for that or for a weekend retreat later in 2015. I am excited about the possibilities!
Now, tell me in the comments: what is the one brave thing that YOU are going to do today?
I am going out to tackle that trailer of mine today and to not let it defeat or overwhelm me….my “Tom Sawyer’s Island” in the works…
LOVE!!! You go, girl!!
Hold fast to what needs to be done and fight the enabler in my hesrt!
You can do it, Nancy. Lean in to your higher power and your support system. You are strong and brave!!
I am going to explore new opportunities,maybe even explore the chance to get a Master’s Degree.
You are already one of the bravest people i know, Tasha, so i have no doubt you will make it happen!!!
Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your wisdom through your words. I’m going to share them with my 15 year old brave soldier today. My brave move today is to finish creating signs and program for a charity event using technology that overwhelms and challenges me and my brain! I’m going to keep smiling through the process and keep my eye on the prize: raising money for 6400 Cambodian students and their schools!
That is brave, but what a wonderful goal! You can do it!
The brave thing I did today was to “interview” a consultant for a special grant The Brain Foundation is applying for. I have been putting this off for about 2 weeks, but finally scheduled it last week for today. Not so bad, and I don’t think I sounded as foolish as I feared. The next interview is Wednesday, and I am feeling more positive. Why, oh why, did I build this up to some impossibly high hurdle? Sometimes the longer we put it off, the bigger the hurdle appears to be.
And I love your brave thing Kelly. I’m in for whatever you put together for a day and/or weekend retreat! You are going to be absolutely fabulous!!
This comment makes me SO happy! This is just what I envisioned when I started this…sharing our brave things and encouraging one another! YAHOO for your brave today, Kim!! That sounds awesome. I can’t wait to see where God is taking you on this adventure. And oh.my.gosh, are you right on with the procrastinating just making in scarier. SO true! Thank you, as always, for all of your encouragement, Kim. I promise, a retreat or workshop in the fall. We are going to have fun!