Okay this is something different.
I was working on my next slideshare presentation this week and struggling to come up with a topic. I admit I don’t recommend this backwards approach, but there it is.
And what came up was the topic of bravery.
I think we all know what a dictionary definition of bravery would sound like: rescuing small children from burning buildings and the like.
But, being brave does not have to be about heroic acts or slaying the dragons in your life. In fact, the people in my life that I think are the most “brave” don’t do any of those things. In some ways you could call them “ordinary people.” Except that they aren’t.
Being brave can be about helping people, putting your hand, up and loving people. And the people I think of as “brave” make different decisions then most of us. They are less worried about what other people think and more focused on what feels right to them.
Have a look at my short slideshare presentation below and let me know what you think.
Tweet the slideshow presentation out!
This year I am committing to being brave in these ways (what about you)?
- Saying what I mean (as long as I don’t intend to hurt people).
- Going with my first impulse (like going up to talk to someone who looks interesting) as long as it doesn’t put someone in danger.
- Sticking to my goals and new habits, regardless of how I feel.
- Telling people honestly the strengths and values I see in them.
Where do you need to be more brave in your life?
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Thanks for the great slideshow Hugh!
Years ago I remember watching a fellow being interviewed about how brave he was to do the stunts he did. He looked slightly confused by the comment and responded that he really wasn’t afraid to begin with. His response created a huge ‘Aha!’ moment for me as I realized that to be brave you must first be afraid.
I immediately thought of all the times I had raised my hand in school when my insides were churning in fear or when I had forced myself to get up and say a speech at 4-H despite the feeling that my shaking legs would give out before I even got up there. As an anxious child I had always thought myself a bit of a chicken, but this knowledge helped me to see that I was actually very brave.
Over the years this has helped me do many things in my life that I’m not sure I would have tried had I not caught on that bravery was not about huge acts of heroism…but more about believing you could shift out of your comfort zone and still survive.
Thanks for posting this slideshow and reminding me of this important piece of information.