It's day 2 of NaBloPoMo. Only 28 days to go. Ha! I'm still questioning my decision here. Anyway...Today's prompt is: When was the last time you did something brave? What happened?
If you consider brave the way I think most people do, then I've never done anything brave. I've never rescued anyone from a burning building or saved someone from drowning in the ocean. I've never stopped a robbery or the life of a gunshot victim. I've never suffered through a fatal illness (thankfully) and I've never had to endure the loss of everything due to a natural disaster- again, thankfully! As a matter of fact, I'm not sure I would show anything resembling brave if I did experience those last two examples. I hope I never have to find out.
I'd like to think I am brave enough to rush in and help in a desperate situation. But I can't say for sure that I would. But what if we take brave down a couple hundred notches to what most of us experience in our lives. I mean, not everyone walks a path where they have opportunities to show the hero types of courage.
All that being said, what have I ever done that even vaguely resembled bravery?
I've birthed and raised 4 daughters. Some people see that as brave. Not those who have 10 kids but some do. And these girls were all teenagers AT THE SAME TIME. That must count for some sort of bravery.
I've recently quit teaching to stay at home and provide daycare for my first grandchild. The jury is still out as to whether that was brave or stupid as I discovered IMMEDIATELY that I am no spring chicken. And I'm tired.
I still live in a town that used to be simple and quaint but that has had such an influx of people who have sucked the quaint right out of it and I haven't killed anyone. I guess that would fall more under restraint than bravery.
I've survived, so far, two of the lovelies moving back home. And I'm pretty sure that is bravery.
I stand up for my family and my beliefs.
We have, for the 3rd year in a row, some not great neighbors living in the house across the street and I haven't killed anyone. Wait. Restraint.
Ok, so I haven't done anything brave. Ever. The opportunity has simply never presented itself. Or God knows that I couldn't handle situations that require bravery so He points me in other directions. I'm more of an encourager to those who do. And I'm good with that. So, I will leave y'all with a short list of people I find brave:
- Single parents. Whether they're a single dad or single mom, these folks walk the path of bravery every single day.
- The kid on the playground who stands up to a bully when the little kid just can't.
- Teachers. They go to school every day to teach and care for kids belonging to other people. Teachers have also been known to put themselves between their students and danger. Brave.
- Women who have to, for whatever reason, start all over again from scratch. I admire their bravery. They could give up and go a different way but they don't. They hang in there and do whatever it takes.
- People who take risks in business or in their personal lives. I admire the peole who do this. They have no idea whether or not the risk will work out but they move forward anyway. I find that brave.
And that's my short list of people who are, in my eyes, brave on a daily basis.
Have y'all done anything brave lately?
I couldn't agree with you more with your list of brave people at the end of this post. I also would add to that, personally, people who look after people with severe dementia, which can be terrible, and mums who look after disabled children 24/7, often without any help at all. They deserve medals in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! I agree. Those are definitely difficult tasks requiring bravery. Med als and a crown!
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ReplyDeleteWell I think you are really brave signing up to do this every day in November. I would say that babysitting is brave too. I think being brave is stepping out of our comfort zone to help someone else. I think the bravest thing I have ever done is the day I went to the hospital when my brother in law was dying. My MIL as I have told you hates the very air I breathe. I just didn't want him to die alone and unloved. So I went. It was every bit as hard as walking into a lions den. Much worse that I can even describe. I stood and put my hands on my brother in law and prayed. In front of everyone. I am glad I am glad I did it but the repercussions have continued to this day. I still would have done it, but my goodness have I paid for it. So to me, that maybe was the bravest thing I have ever done.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I have enjoyed your posts. I like reading about how you think.
Haha! That might fall under stupid instead of brave but we'll see. :) Wow, that truly was a brave thing to do. Was it just because she doesn't like you or because they don't believe in prayer? I can't imagine anyone not liking you, Kim. You have such a kind, loving soul. :)
DeleteI think you are very brave signing up to this!
ReplyDeleteSending happy November wishes your way.
All the best Jan
Thanks! But it might be more stupid than brave. :)
DeleteSounds like a good start.
ReplyDeleteI've thought of writing with this month long prompt but have chickened out every time.
I've done it before and it's not the easiest thing I've ever tried. This year, I decided to do it on BOTH blogs. This could be the dumbest thing I've ever done. :) Thanks!
DeleteI'm pretty sure that raising 4 teenage girls would be considered brave, and I love your list of who you consider brave. I agree!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy! The jury is still out on whether it was brave or NUTS! LOL
DeleteGood post, Pam. Bravery comes in all shapes and sizes, and your post is a wonderful reminder of that.
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteLoved your post and your list. I think you are very brave (by the way). There is bravery in each of us at one level or another. Be brave!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I sometimes think I'm brave but then I hear about someone else and realize I'm not. But you're right, different levels and different people. :)
DeleteThis is great! I love the list of brave people you created. I think that raising 4 children who are close to the same age at the same time is brave. I cannot imagine 4 babies, toddler, or teenagers or adults. Great piece.
ReplyDeleteIt's gotten a bit difficult to do the 4 'adult' children. Two moved back in and one is STILL here. LOL Thank you!
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