Summary

The author reflects on personal acts of courage, redefining bravery through the lens of her current life experiences and challenges.

Abstract

The article delves into the author's journey of understanding courage beyond traditional daredevil acts, such as jumping from heights or swimming with sharks. She explores the bravery inherent in everyday life as a mother, artist, and individual facing personal and health challenges. The author realizes that courage manifests in various forms, like managing risks for her daughter, supporting her partner's health, and pursuing creative passions without the security of a regular paycheck. She acknowledges that moments of bravery are unique and personal, and that self-appreciation is crucial in recognizing one's own fears and limits. The reflection, prompted by a writing exercise, has led her to a deeper appreciation of her current self and the bravery she exhibits in her daily life.

Opinions

The author believes that traditional acts of bravery are not the sole measure of courage.
She expresses that courage can be found in the everyday acts of parenting and personal growth.
The author suggests that personal reflection is a valuable tool for understanding one's own bravery.
She emphasizes the importance of showing up, practicing, and trying, regardless of the outcome, as an act of courage.
The author values the process of learning one's limits and deciding how far to push them, rather than competing with others.
She acknowledges the bravery in facing her own fears and stepping out of her comfort zone.
The author appreciates the prompt by Diana C. for encouraging her to reflect on her own courage, indicating the impact of community and shared experiences in personal development.

Step Out of the Ordinary

A tramble on courage

Iguazu Falls — Photo was taken by a friend

After reading Diana C.’s prompt for this week I started writing out all the “risky” business I got up over the years.

The more traditional courageous feats. Jumping out of and off things. Swimming with sharks. Taking a dinghy across croc waters. Speaking to a full event room of businessmen. The list could go on.

The list of “what was” not the treasure.

The reflection on them was where the gold was.

The process made me join the dots on who I am today.

Since becoming a mother, I felt like I wasn’t being courageous anymore.

I forgot that what triggers a moment of courage is different for each of us, in that exact moment of who we are.

Just because I am no longer trying out crazy stunts or climbing the corporate ladder to someone else’s definition of success, doesn’t mean I am not being courageous.

The management of the risks for my daughter, Billie, eating food at a restaurant, party or social gathering is all my energy can handle some days.

Or watching my youngest, Matilda, test her abilities by trying out a stunt without stepping in and stopping her.

Or trying not to control my partner Boj’s health concerns.

To pick up my pencil and draw again.

Play with writing. Hit publish on an article revealing more of who I am. Or leaking pieces of me in a response.

To be so far removed from what I was doing before, all with the uncertainty of a regular paycheck.

I haven’t stayed in a victim bubble, which would be the easiest way to keep “safe”.

I keep showing up.

I keep practising.

I keep trying.

No matter the outcome.

Each experience makes me stronger. I learn where my limits are now. How far I can push them and how far I want to push them.

It isn’t a competition with anyone else.

It is about being brave enough to face my own fears.

Taking a step outside my “ordinary world”.

If anyone else said told me these things about themselves, I would say, “Jeez, you are brave.”

Why did I need to be pushed to say this to myself?

Step by step.

Being courageous.

I am learning to appreciate who I am.

An article I read yesterday by Kathryn A. LeRoy, Ph.D. comes to mind after writing this. Believe it fits in perfectly to what I discovered while reflecting – thanks Kathryn.

Living on the Edge: A Musical Tribute

Living on the edge of her future, a six-year-old stood in the spotlight of the sun. Her voice, clear and unwavering,…

link.medium.com

Thanks to Diana C. for prompting this tramble (typing ramble) about courage out of me. You have gifted me a moment of reflection I was unaware I needed.

This Week’s Prompt: 15–21.06

Good morning/afternoon/evening, now and forever! It’s a new week, therefore a new prompt! I hope you’ll be as inspired…

link.medium.com

Thanks for reading.

Thanks for being you.