MindSwitch Mondays #18: What does being brave mean?
In order to be brave, one must show courage.
A few days ago, we had an unexpected, and I would say undesired visitor at home. My husband found a boa constrictor in our front door floor garden.
I do not like snakes, not tiny ones, not big ones. I don’t like them a bit.
My eldest daughter, on the other hand, has been insisting we take her to a reptile zoo in Los Angeles, to pet snakes!
My husband decided to trap the snake to take it to the forest far from our house. With the use of a home-built tool, he went about it. I started filming when he started to put the ring onto the snake’s head. The snake was asleep on the wall, which made it easier to trap it.
I started screaming, my daughters started crying.
The snake was safely taken to the forest away from the house.
You can watch the video here.
My six-year-old, who is interested in snakes and reptiles, was crying. I hugged her and asked her what was wrong.
She answered:
“Mom, why were you scared of the snake? You are older than me, you should be braver than me as well!”
What does being brave mean?
The dictionary’s definition of being brave is “ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.”
In order to be brave, one must show courage.
Courage is not something magical that just happens in you, it can be learned. Behind many successes, are failures and unexpected turns, but also courage. Courage can have different forms. Courage to keep going, courage to find a new way of doing things, courage to speak up, or courage to manage our fears.
From the outside, courage can seem self-assured and powerful. But from the inside, it can be frightening.
I’ve noticed that when you have the courage to do something, the effects of it are not always seen right away. Courage might mean making a new friend at the park, accepting a mistake, or catching a snake in your front door.
Courageous decisions don’t tend to come with applause. But when actions are driven by courage, you shape the world around you in meaningful ways.
We all want to feel safe, but real growth comes from letting go of the handrail.
How can we nurture bravery in our kids?
Encourage them to try new things. They can engage in new activities or games.
Assure them, they won’t always feel ready, that’s why it’s brave. While they are in their comfort, have them make a plan to try it out.
Embrace imperfection. Failures and rejections are often signs of doing something brave. It’s ok, celebrate the win of doing that brave thing.
Speak of their bravery as though they already are. Speak to the courage that's coming to life inside them.
Lead by example.
Share these steps with a friend who you know would benefit from learning these.
I might not be a snake whisperer, or the bravest person when it comes to snakes. For next time, I know I will have to manage my fears of snakes to lead by example.
What does being brave mean to YOU?
Until Next Week,
Alexandra