Be Brave!

 

Every family has platitudes or mantras that become core to the people we are. They are repeated over and over until it is felt and experienced in everything that we do. Lady Hiva's family they included, "Everyone is family" and "If you see something that needs to be done, do it. Don't leave it for someone else." Some that were included in my childhood were " If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well" and "Remember who you are." 

Lady Hiva and I have used those and have created our own as well. Some of those are, "It is ok to be beautiful/handsome, but it is more important to be kind." I find myself often repeating a more direct version of the 'hard work' mantra by saying "I am not raising lazy people!" But there is on that I have been thinking of quite a bit this week and that is "Be Brave." For our family the definition of brave is 'when you are nervous or scared, but you keep going/doing; you don't give up."  

This week I have been inspired by so many brave people. This includes the three amazing people I live with. I have watched during swimming lessons in awe as both of them have overcome new feats. Lucky Dragon is truly a beautiful swimmer. He glides through the water with ease. At one point his swim coach had him swim the length of the pool doing back stroke with a cup of water on his forehead and he had to not spill it. As I said, hard, but he conquered= Brave amazing-ness! I have also seen Koala Bear jump into the deep end of the pool and swim the length of it without hesitation. She was fearful, but she did not stop and she kept going. 

These two have also shown bravery in so many ways. Lucky Dragon went to three different schools in two different countries this year. Koala Bear went to two. They were always sad to leave their friends and we all shared tears together for the change. But with bravery they made new friends, they learned new things, and they loved the differences. I have watched them try new foods from different cultures and countries. From Indian to Ethiopian. I was bursting with gratitude when we went to eat at a family's home and the mum was so excited that our two Muggles were willing to try all of the food. Lucky dragon was also willing to say the prayer in front of the whole family when nobody else was willing to. 

I have seen Lady Hiva move her family and be a pillar of strength during uncertainty. I have seen her do public speaking despite her inner-self doubt. She also is reaching out and trying new challenges for work and career. Completely unsure of the result and what expectations will be in the future, she continues forward--what an amazing example she is. 

I get tears when I think about one of my aunts who is now facing a reality of widowhood after the unexpected passing of my uncle this week. When I texted her, while they were still in the hospital, I was not expecting a reply, but she responded with her own show of brave and instead of expressing the grief and shock she must be experiencing, she expressed love for me from both her and my uncle.

Lastly, I want to talk about a situation at work this week that I have reflected on several times since it happened. I do not talk about work very much in a public setting, but I do want to share this one experience. I had a college age young man come to talk with me. He was wanting to go to the United States for school. He was nervous, as many are when they come to talk. It is an imposing situation that is potentially life changing. I quickly realized that he had a stutter. It gave me pause. My heart went out to him as he struggled to give each answer. I started to get emotional as I saw him tear up a bit in frustration at his own weakness. But instead of weakness,  what I saw was strength. I saw a man facing his fears. A man facing his doubts, his weaknesses, and his insecurities. But he was brave and determined. At one point I tried to encourage him and I said, "take a deep breath, you are doing great!" Little did he know that the deep breath was as much for me to collect my emotions as it was for him. 

He was brave. And I am a better person because of it.  I wish that it was a different situation when I met him. I would have loved to sit down with him and learn more about his situation, more of what drives him to be brave and face his demons. 

Like all of these people I have seen be brave this week, it makes me want to stand up a little taller, to face my demons a little stronger, to show more love and empathy to others who are facing their demons too. 

So, be brave. Challenge yourself. Recognize the reality of your situation, but don't let it take over, face it to overcome. There is always someone cheering you on, even people you do not realize.