WANNA BE BRAVE
Aristotle said, “We become brave by doing brave acts.”
The clear logical definition of brave:
Courageous, dauntless, perhaps a little bit daring, a brave person, faces dangerous or difficult situations with courage. Possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching.
Rate yourself 1 – 5 on your brave factor:
1 = Low
5 = High
Courageous… 1 2 3 4 5
Dauntless… 1 2 3 4 5
Daring… 1 2 3 4 5
Face danger of fear w/o flinching… 1 2 3 4 5
Brave stories:
Be Dauntless – facing danger or fear without flinching.
Montana’s most famous basketball coach Tom Ferch’s sons Kral and Shann laugh when telling stories about Tom shooting and hauling a mountain goat 10,000 feet down a jagged cliffside. Tom has been named MVP of the 70 and older world basketball games.
Display Courage – if you truly have courage others will see it.
Two-year-old Jennifer has Agammaglobulinemia. She was forced to have shots every two weeks. Two people had to hold her down as they tried to comfort her. Each two weeks Jennifer would declare, only one shot this time.
The Doc replied each time, “No honey we have to do two shots.”
One year the Crowell’s were going on vacation. Jennifer would either miss her vacation or take an extra shot.
Mom carefully explained, “If you miss your shots, you may get sick. This is the risk. “What do you want to do, Jennifer?”
After a very long pause, Jennifer said, “I will take the extra shot mommy.” Proud Tears streamed down the faces of her parents.
Die Brave – the ultimate act of courage.
All-time rebounds leader at Central Washington U 6’6” Chuck Hepworth, age 40, battled multi-myeloma cancer with dauntless courage. At Sacred Heart Hospital my dear friend whispered so softly to me as I stood inches from his mouth so I could hear him.
“Fred I never thought it would come to this. I want you to remember Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.”
At Chuck’s funeral, I was able to say to my dear, precious friends. “Now I have seen how brave men die. Chuck is my hero. Imitation is the best teacher. Chuck taught me well.”
Now the hard part.
Do something brave today. For some, it may mean taking 3 steps, for another smoking one less cigarette, or another asking forgiveness.
I would be delighted to have you email a personal brave story.
