Being Brave
We each live in two moments at the same time. One moment includes everyone around you socially. The second moment is being with yourself. There are multiple levels of interactions going on that require interpretation and possible response. There is body language for both levels. And being in the moment requires being mindful to all of that at the same time. It takes a brave person not to bend to the easier will of just becoming a passerby. Even in your own life.
Bravery Instinct
Each of us has a different amount of tolerance for scary stuff. Personally, I cannot watch horror movies or violence without turning away. They are meant to overwhelm the senses and although that may be good for some, every subconscious picture writes a new layer of terror into its base. Since there are so many alternatives, I don’t miss a thing. And my heart only skips a beat with love not fear. The argument that it is not real does not match what our brains process. I like to be brave enough to choose differently. Building up individual bravery instincts takes time but the result is a finer ability to face the really scary things in life and not run away like the actors in a twisted scenario.
Moment of Truth
Being honest with oneself is a task that requires some exercise. Being honest with another person requires being brave enough to handle their rejection from challenging thoughts that they do not want to think about. There is a small moment of pause that occurs right before the decision is made to provide honest thought to someone else. To prepare them, it may be necessary to let them know that you are trying to be brave enough to share with them your thoughts. They can always reject them, of course, but they may stash them away until they are alone later to drag them out and recall what you said. Their ability to be open says more about them than you, but being brave enough to share the hard stuff takes real guts.
Morally Brave
Breaking brave news means that you hold a relationship with that person to such a high level that you consider their well-being more than your possibly hurt thoughts. Sensitively sharing difficult info takes true compassion even when it doesn’t go down well. Using kindness as a driver, pause and let the receiver know that you are speaking bravely to honor them. It isn’t always easy to say exactly what you mean but remaining fully present helps. Weighing the options of concealing needed truth or cowardly ignoring what is necessary requires a brave heart. Omitting the truth may not be true love.
Can you be more mindful of another’s feelings and share what they need to hear? Can you just state that you want to be brave and follow your instincts for a friend? How would you feel if the truth wasn’t shared but found out later?
