What does Brave look like..

Over the last week I have being asking myself what does BRAVE look like??

What does brave look like to you??

In the eyes of my 7 year old, he says " Being brave means not being a coward and never giving up".... so insightful for a wee young man hey??

Brave is defined in the dictionary as; "ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

"she was very brave about the whole thing" or "endure or face (unpleasant conditions or behaviour) without showing fear."he pulled on his coat ready to brave the elements"

Some would say watching my little three year daughter being held down to endure medication and testing whilst in hospital this week is brave on all accounts, some would say losing a close sister/friendship while still maintaining to work, function and move on is brave, some would say staying

loyal and faithful time and time again after being betrayed time and time again is brave (some would stay that is being an idiot too!)

Brave is many things, whether its standing up for yourself, and not being a door mat anymore, setting boundaries with people and defending your own needs, wants and happiness or simply choosing to walk away for good. Brave is simply having the courage to look that thing in the face and stand up to it. Full amor not looking back, ready to fight for what you believe in.

For anyone who's has seen the movie "Brave" by Disney, this is exactly what Merida did, she stood up to her own Mother, to defend her own dreams, desires and wants. She was brave enough to look "tradition"in the face and want to change it, even it meant that her relationship with her mother would be strained and changed

From when we are little we learn to be brave, whether it be learning to cross the monkey bars in the school playgrounds one hand in front of the other, or to stand up in class to give our first "show n tell" presentation, to being a young teenager with your first crush and being brave enough to ask her / him out to the school dance or share a kiss behind the school library.

As we venture into adulthood we must learn to be braver, just like Merida and learn to step out and do the things that really scare us. I am not just talking about facing a fear or heights or spiders, but Im talking about the scary stuff, saying Ive had enough of this, I'm moving on, or this makes me so happy so I'm all in, it means sharing ones deepest feelings, being vulnerable, transparent and honest .

Being brave may has some of us shaking in our boots, or ready to throw up without warning, but being brave is the great opportunity that we have to change our fate with not only others but ourselves.

What are you brave enough to go after until you achieve it, are you brave enough to chase down what really makes you happy, or to walk away from really makes you miserable.

Bravery is facing the unknown, and putting one foot in front of the other..

Remember one thing before I go;

Your never alone, there are always brave people around you, YOU ARE ONE of THEM.

What ever you are facing this week, know wholeheartedly that bravery is DEEP inside of you and you only need to dig deep for it to find it and use it.

BE BRAVE, YOUR WORTH IT!!!