What It Means
December 17, 2008[3" x 3" original mini-collage available here]
This is one of my favorite mantras….mabye even THE mantra, if I were to have to officially claim a mantra as MINE. It hasn’t come in handy as I’ve trekked the Himalayas or wrestled tigers in India (I mean really, I can do those things in my sleep), but in those strange spaces that make me feel small, vulnerable and mistrusting of others. In those times when I want to give up, shut everyone out, embrace my worst demons and let them simply take over, I think of these two words: Be Brave. Keep Going. Move Forward. Trust.
It can be extremely disconcerting to go through those deeply dark times where nothing makes sense and we can’t even recognize ourselves. I have had plenty of practice at surrending to periods of time where I feel less than super sparkly, but every once in a while I get thrown off more than I feel ready for, or maybe it happens at a time when I think everything should be drenched in sunflowers and sunshine. In those times, I turn to Be Brave and move into a deep space of trust, trust that the uncertainty, the fog and the heaviness will not only lift, but melt away to reveal a new way of being. Shedding skin is never easy, and I sometimes have to stay very intensely focused on the fact that greater discomfort very often means there are greater gifts on the other side.
There are so many ways to be brave, so many moments when the choice to be brave can make all the difference in the world to your friendships, your marriage, your work and your sense of self and wholeness. Life is difficult, relationships are hard…in being brave, we might not be able to overcome every craggy mountain, but we will at least get farther along than if we always chose to play it safe.
That is what I am thinking about today, on a cozy rainy day in Southern California.
*****
Holiday Extravaganza Announcements:
Yesterday: Lisa won Marisa Haedike’s beautiful 2009 Calendar – Congratulations!!
Today: Leave a comment today to be entered in a drawing for a copy of Jonatha Brooke’s latest CD, The Works!
Tomorrow: Today is last day of the Holiday Extravaganza – NOT! I lied…I just decided
to do one more day, so check back tomorrow for an extra special Give
Away.
Because you are brave, and because you create your own brand of very special magic to buoy you thru the trust and the keeping going and the move forward…. beautiful brave girl that you are …
Count me in!
Jessica info(at)funkyfinds(dot)us
I’m so glad I read this, this evening. It gets so hard to be brave at times, especially when the days are shorter and darker. I keep going though, I know it’s the least I can do for myself. This being brave thing isn’t such a bad thing, and I really don’t mind that I am learning it at the sweet age of 39. ; )
You have a beautiful blog.
; )
All I can say is… Amen! Well said.
Yes. Like in the movie – The Brave One – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0476964/
“There is no going back, to that other person, that other place. This thing, this stranger, she is all you are now”
Encouraging thought this Christmas!
Thanks Christine. I needed that this morning. It has been a very long time since I have been brave, I think I want to try a little harder.
Thank you. what a good topic!
That’s a great mantra – and definitely one I could have used more than once in recent times. We DO have to be brave and just push through the tough times. Thankfully it’s not ALL tough, and we do have moments of joy, and peace, and love to balance the rough bits.
Fiona
Oh–I just love Jonatha!
This is a wonderful post. It’s so hard to be brave sometimes. Sometimes I’m too tired. But thank you for the reminding me that it really is a necessity.
I hear ya !
I would LOVE the Jonatha Brooks cd!
I love this!
Be brave has long been a mantra of mine – an essential one, because life has thrown a lot of change and upheaval my way. And nothing is ever calm or certain for long, is it? Your art is beautiful, as always. Have received so many compliments on your art when people visit here – especially your painting from the Cuban series. Must post about that soon. Sigh. Sorry – the flu has hit me hard and finally antibiotics are starting to help. Congrats to the lucky winner of your drawing! xo
Thank you Christine for reminding me….needed that.
“Shedding skin is never easy, and I sometimes have to stay very intensely focused on the fact that greater discomfort very often means there are greater gifts on the other side.”
This is something that I have been learning in a very immediate way.
But it’s faith that keeps us going. Faith in our ability to make it through the dark times. Faith that we will gain something from the tribulations. And sometimes just continuing on, nose to the grindstone until the light starts shining again.
Not coincidentally… it’s almost the solstice. Darkest night of the year, and the return of the light.
That’s right, they are one and the same.
Things to think on.
Thanks for your words of encouragement Christine. I agree with Rowena — It’s faith that keeps me going too! :O)
Amen to BRAVE…you do get all the credit for the that mantra. Not only is it superb, it says it all…loving you brave soul sister….xo
ahhh… thanks for the reminder! totally needed that!
It’s such a relief to know that you being brave is always a choice.
Beautiful art and a great reminder.
xxx
thank you for that heartening message to begin the morning. i found your blog via zorana’s blog.
my first time here. i followed zorano’s post. beautiful words. just what i needed to hear today.