It is a revealing hallmark of a culture to see what bravery represents. In America, the dominant online image is a Disney animation of a young girl facing illustrated threats. Then there is the Atlanta baseball team or a Web Browser or actors representing cartoon action characters always fighting a fictional threat to civilization as we know it.
As society becomes more technology oriented eliminating many challenges of everyday living, the consideration that what was once the bedrock of a culture, the willingness to stand bravely for one’s country, one’s faith, one’s family and friends, one’s dreams, one’s ideals is being replaced by the apparent quietude. The recent disastrous conflict in Eastern Europe brought bravery again to the forefront where a small minority stood up to aggression to protect family and home. Does it take an external threat to show bravery? Do we still understand and appreciate this fundamental value?
At a recent event, on hearing our national anthem, the phrase ‘Home of the Brave’ made me take a step back and assess what truly is bravery today. My first resort for understanding is always the dictionary to review the current definitions and compare to its origin. From Italian bravo, bold, to Spanish bravo, wild, to Latin barbarous to Greek barbarous, foreign, the word ‘brave’ has evolved to represent acts of courage, fearless acts of heroism, confidence in fueling one’s actions and willingness to overcome obstacles.
From one leader I respect, bravery means to be fearless to opinions of others of yourself based upon decisions one has made, to lead with courage and the fortitude to pursue one’s way. To one of our team here, bravery is the ability to stand up to painful moments and persevere. To the philosopher Thucydides, ‘the bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it’.
There is innate bravery in each of us. We see it in emergency responders. We see it those who not only summited the world’s highest peaks, but helped a blind man accomplish the same to fulfill a lifelong dream. We see bravery in two of my closest heroes who without consideration of self, braved the ravaging Tsunmai after effects to help those suffering great losses find stability and hope. We see it in every entrepreneur who ignores the insurmountable challenges to develop a new solution to provide nutrition to the world, to capture the sun’s energy to power life saving devices, to harvest wellness from forgotten fruits.
To touch your inner bravery, possibly these thoughts will strengthen your resolve and appreciation of your courage:
- Make decisions and create futures based on your own observations and what you consider is right and moral.
- Knowing we are part of each other’s universes, stay connected, be respectful, show kindness and understanding.
- Ask for help from those you respect and honor their contributions.
- Life is an adventure, confront the challenges with the frame of mind that you will find ethical solutions.
- Willingly defend your ideals, goals and aspirations, no matter the cost. The reward of bravery is your success.
- Don’t seek admiration or fame. Humility is truly one of the bravest endeavors.
Your bravery is greatly needed to evolve our culture. We are here if your bravery is challenged, to offer experience, wisdom, and support. We are the home of the brave.
– Gillian