Bravery & A Dead Rat

"It's because you are braver than us, Mom"

"Really?"

The written word can't capture my sarcastic tone here. Never mind the thoughts running through my head.

I'm not brave. 

I would not be characterized by others as brave.

And yet here I am scraping up the leftover innards of a dead critter from our basement floor. Not making horrific sounds like in the past. But not actually making eye contact with those guts either. (I've written about this here so I'll try not to be redundant.)

Actually today's topic is not about dead animals or wayward cats or parenting manipulative children.

It's about being brave. (Although those things might require bravery too.)

I equate bravery with heroic acts. Epic daring. Bigger than life feats.

Maybe I've watched too many adventure movies. Read too many classics. 

Brave. Braver. And bravest for the win.

But what if brave is also found in the small? Ordinary? Everyday?

What if brave isn't just meant for well, the B R A V E?

What if brave is meant for you and me?

What if sometimes just showing up is brave? Trying something new? Veering in a different direction?

Anything that makes us fearful. Scared. Anxious. Frightened. All these require us to be brave at some level.

But here's the catch....we can only be brave if we are afraid. There can be no courage without fear.

It means that despite the fact that I'm screaming. Sweating. Scared sh*tless.

I do it anyway.

That is being brave. 

Unfortunately for me it's easier to choose what is known. Comfortable. Easy. 

Avoiding fear. Failure. Disappointment. Risk.

By playing it safe though, I miss out on building up a habit of bravery. Growing. Becoming.

Because each brave leads to another brave. 

So I'm going to fight the urge to avoid being afraid. Dare to be uncomfortable. Forge ahead into vulnerability.

One step at a time.

Do that scary thing that is set before me.

If I can, so can you.

You are braver than you think.

Today, I semi-bravely shoveled piles of steaming rat organs.

What brave thing can you do?