Isn't everyone brave in their own way? I would like to believe that. If you're comfortable with sharing weaknesses or facing your fears, you grow up to become brave. You can admit that you have a struggle with an impacting past to learn from.
Being brave doesn't have to be just as simple as "standing up for what you believe in." YOU are standing up for what you believe in, but for how long to despite the negative outcomes?
"Me, brave?" I ask myself when I take the compliment. Not that I doubt myself for being a brave guy, I just ponder "bravery" as a loose term. "Brave" as in "heroic" or "dangerous?"
After seeing a few friends enlisting themselves into our country's armed forces, I felt like I came into adulthood without courage. Not only it's a guarantee for financial aid in college, employers seek leadership from veterans after graduating or on leave. Whether if you're against war or not, the men and women serving in a branch of military takes bravery with the required strength and discipline. Not only I've been told that I was brave for sticking myself out in sports, a former high school teacher thought that I should join the Marines. But after hearing the stories of the Army's basic training and stationing in the Middle East, I never saw myself in that sort of future. I'm settling myself as a thankful citizen for all veterans.
When it comes to the LGBT community, I find more bravery coming out in high school because of the confidence of one's identity and standing firm against bullying. I respect more of Laverne Cox as a trans advocate and an actress on "Orange Is The New Black" than that "so-call-brave-awarding" Caitlyn Jenner. I never felt brave when I first came out as a bisexual to my college roommate. After that, I passed along that message one person at a time. Since I've been more committed to my girlfriend nowadays, that part of me seems to matter less.
For my best current effort in suicide prevention, I encourage everyone to share their stories of struggle to your loved ones. Seeking professional help is not a struggle but the first step into decreasing all of the stigmas of negative thinking. With enough listening and patience, life will be lived and supported to the fullest.
For anyone who has ever told me that I'm brave, I live for that compliment. I get a lot of fun out of many adventures. I went skydiving, played football in scorching heat, cliff jumping at 20 feet and paintballing. I donated blood three times (saving nine lives) and have two tattoos so far. I overcame stage fright several times by giving speeches, telling jokes, reciting poetry and singing. You could either repeat some of these thrilling pleasures to feel good about yourself or share what you've learned from them for whatever the outcome would be.
We are all brave because we stand up for others, starting with yourself. Be proud to laugh. Be proud to forgive and forget. Be proud of your health. Be proud to speak and hear an open mind. Be proud of what you do that makes the world the way as you want to be in the spring of the moment.
