How to be brave.

The world needs bravery now. Not more than ever. But as it always has and always will. Bravery is absolutely essential to humankind’s survival and in our ability, as individuals, to thrive. So, how do we live our life to its bravest? I’m writing this in hopes it will inspire you to find your inner bravery on a daily basis.

Throughout my life people have called me brave.

When I entered a speech contest in high school, and then became one of the first women to place statewide, “you’re so brave!” When I went on the air as a radio co-host on a #1 rated morning show immediately after graduating college, “you’re so brave!” When I started my own business, and grew it to over $1M in revenue, started a national women’s movement and when I ran for Congress, “you’re so brave!” 

All of the above felt natural to me, I scratched my head when people told me I was brave, “really? You think so? Thank you! I appreciate that. And you should try it, too, it’s really fun.” 

“No,” most would say, “not me.” or “I’ve always wanted to, but I could never.” 

“But why not?” 

And this is what I do, again and again. With my friends, with my family, with complete strangers in the checkout line at the grocery. But “why not?” 

Bravery, to me, is essential to living your best life.

Just the other morning, I spotted a baby bird learning to fly. She would hop and jump and flutter her wings and then plop - drop and start over. Again and again. Each jump took all of her energy, courage and yes, bravery. 

I imagine bravery is wired into a bird’s DNA. I mean, can you imagine taking that jump? Without bravery, a baby bird couldn’t take a jump and then what? No flying?

Learning to fly, human or bird, isn’t easy. But the moment one experiences the freedom that comes with flight, there is an undeniable feeling of pure freedom. But to arrive there, bravery must come first. I would argue that the only way we can experience true freedom, and the pure joy and ecstasy that comes with being truly ourselves, is by taking a brave and bold step first. 

There simply can’t be a way to arrive at the former without the latter. So, let’s all get there.

First, what is bravery?

Bravery, by definition, is a character strength that involves facing fear, danger, or difficulty with mental or moral strength, and then taking action despite those feelings. It's not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to feel fear and still act.

I think bravery is something that can be harnessed for incredible things, but that, more often than not, most of us don't summon bravery unless absolutely necessary. As humans going about our daily life, we’re not seeking out brave acts. They find us.

This makes sense, as bravery is an antidote to fear.

For example, a person may run pull over their car at the sight of an accident to help victims, and yet stand down from a community fight over school funding. The former is wildly brave but absolutely necessary, while the latter also wildly brave but perceived as optional.

For many of us, like me, bravery was a necessity to surviving the COVID years. The bravery I mustered then felt instinctual and not at all alien or uncomfortable. Bravery powered me forward, through my Congressional run, through two of my businesses under strain to survive, through the financial fall out that came with all of the above and, last but not least, parenting four children through it all.

That’s what I love the most about bravery, it’s so incredibly useful.

The trick, in my humble opinion, is learning how to be brave when it’s not perceived as absolutely necessary. So, how do we practice bravery on a daily basis?

What does bravery tell us about ourselves?

One’s bravery comes from a place so deep down that, for some of us, it can be hidden or dormant. For others, like myself, it can be front and center. Neither is good or bad, a balance would be ideal. I personally am often bothered by the trouble my bravery brings me. I can’t help myself, it seems, and that’s not always a good thing.

Also, I am a firm believer that each and every one of us is just as brave as the other. Over the years, as both a leader of a national women’s movement and a U.S. Congressional Candidate I saw bravery take hold of individuals who least suspected it would. And, wow, was that incredible to see. Under the influence of their bravery, people described feeling better than they had in years, more alive, more awake to the possibilities and, above all, fulfilled.

I believe bravery is inherent to who we are at our deepest core, a reflection of where we come from, and a mark of the generations past who now live through us today. Call me dramatic, but that’s how much I love bravery. When bravery takes hold of one’s spirit, there’s a steady drum beat of strength, day in and day out. Unlike an adrenaline rush that quickly comes and goes, bravery as a practice in life and in business gives and gives, fueling you forward into new spaces and places you never thought possible. 

Finding the key to your bravery.

To unlock your own bravery, you’ll first need to identify the source of your bravery. The source is the place where only you can go on a moment’s notice to muster your own unique brand of bravery.

When I'm in a bravery rut, or having a hard time channeling some of my own, I remind myself what it took for me to be standing where I am today. For example, my grandmother and great uncle, who survived the Holocaust are a constant source. And then, the broader community of humans on the right side of history – from those like my grandfather who fought for Democracy and Freedom in World Wars I & II, or to those who protested on behalf of Civil Rights in the 1960’s and 1970’s to those fighting today for the freedoms we now take for granted.

See? Easy. What’s your source of bravery? Not sure? Start journaling and explore this question with yourself.

Why bother with bravery?

Take note of what happens when fear takes hold and you don’t respond with bravery? Is there anything more soul crushing than this? After time, I’d imagine you would become accustomed to closeting your bravery. The further you get though, in my experience, the worse you feel.

What’s the last brave thing you did? 

Was it wearing a bold fashion statement? Saying “no” to a meeting? Or telling your friends about your latest business idea? Or waking up again and putting one foot in front of the other when times are tough?

I bet you are making brave steps every day and not giving yourself enough credit. I also bet you can take even braver steps if you believe in yourself. Do it, friends. Be brave. And tell me all about it.

I’m here to cheer you on.