BRAVERY 52 | List 30

LIST 30 | Ask your friends and family: what is one instance in their past when they chose to be brave and face something challenging? List out their answers.

Since this is a place to share my story, I don't feel it's right to share the stories of my family on this platform.

My only comment is, in my family, rarely do they choose to be brave. They choose to be in control. They are so afraid of ‘losing’ (in whatever way they interpret that (im)possibility) that they hold so tightly to their own limiting beliefs that they forbid the free will of others while telling everyone how to behave in order to make themselves comfortable. I hope to provide a better example for my family and friends.

I am relieved to know that I am not the only one of my peer group stuck in a similar situation.

I choose to be brave by trusting that I’ve made some pretty good choices along the way. I am regularly learning and live my life with a beginner’s mind. I show up every day and model the best possible behaviour - and when I’ve failed, I’ve owned my behaviour and actions and apologized. The only apology worth anything is changed behaviour. I respect my adult children enough to allow them to make their own mistakes and own their choices. I am happy they continue to consult me and consider that my experiences have value. I am brave every day.