Welcome back to another meditation on the 7 principles that I work towards on a daily basis.
Today we're going to be looking at bravery.
To begin,
Get into a seated,
Comfortable position.
And when you're ready,
Gently close your eyes and take a few deep,
Slow breaths.
And allow your body to relax.
Breathe in and feel your body fill with air.
And as you exhale,
Exhale into deeper relaxation.
Take a moment now just to relax and bring your focus to your breath.
We all have some sort of definition of bravery.
We have heard people tell others,
They are brave.
For some,
When they think of bravery,
They think of soldiers or warriors.
Others think of those that fight for justice as brave.
There is bravery in your identity.
And certainly when we watch movies,
We see glorified versions of bravery all the time.
But what does bravery really mean?
What does it really look like on a day to day basis?
When we think of a brave person,
Why do we consider them brave?
Think about what bravery really means.
Can you pinpoint why exactly you think certain people are brave?
If you think of someone standing up for other people's rights,
Is that brave?
Why?
Or how about if someone does something dangerous to help others?
Is that brave?
Take a moment to just visualize something that you think is brave.
And think about why you think that is brave.
Bravery begins with integrity.
Integrity to face life's challenges while adhering to a personal code of ethics or beliefs.
To be unwavering in what is right.
Bravery also means understanding that we are not all knowing.
Understanding that we need to listen and understand others.
Bravery is having the integrity to know when we are wrong and admit that.
Bravery is also understanding when perhaps we need to reach out for help.
What is bravery made of?
Why are people that we consider brave,
Brave?
It can't just simply be a random spontaneous act.
It is just an obvious example of how a person tends to live their life.
When I think of the people that I know,
That I would consider brave,
They tend to show the same types of qualities.
They do what is right.
Even if that is the harder decision.
They stand up for others if they are needed or asked to.
And they lift others higher than themselves because they have integrity and aren't threatened by elevating others.
They stay strong in the face of adversity.
But they are also brave enough to understand when they are wrong.
And they show bravery in accepting the consequence of that.
Bravery is also knowing when to work on our own healing.
When we need help.
We know that something needs work.
We know we have trauma.
We may have learned behaviors that are negatively affecting our lives.
We may have gained better understanding recently and look at things differently.
When we act to heal ourselves.
And through that healing face our inner trauma.
That is bravery.
When we understand that some of our behaviors may hurt others or hurt us.
When we actively work to undo those behaviors.
That is bravery.
Sitting in this meditation with an open mind to gain better understanding.
That is bravery.
Now let's take a moment just to think of our own lives right now.
Is there opportunities for us to act bravely?
Is there a moment when we will have to do what is right and not what is easy?
Is there a moment for us to heal from our own traumas?
Is there a moment to push aside our ego and listen to others?
Or is there a moment when we can question our own understanding of things?
Think of moments when you know you can show bravery.
Think of how that would feel on the inside to show that bravery.
Just take a moment and picture yourself being brave in situations that maybe you wouldn't normally.
Really understand what that feels like.
In life we work to recognize the opportunities in front of us.
Life is about acting on those opportunities.
Showing bravery is often not easy.
But it is not meant to be.
It is meant to challenge us.
It is meant to make us step outside of our comfort zone from time to time.
Showing bravery helps us to heal.
It helps us grow.
It helps us to understand.
And it helps set boundaries.
Bravery teaches us humility.
And humility teaches us bravery.
Without humility,
Without integrity,
You just simply can't be brave.
Now as you return to your day after this meditation,
Keep an eye out for those opportunities.
Be aware that it also takes bravery to accept we may be wrong.
And it takes bravery to accept responsibility for our actions and words.
So as you come back to the present moment,
As you return your focus to now,
Remember to be brave.
And to show courage in a world that sometimes is intimidating.
And lastly,
Remember to watch for those opportunities to be brave.
Now when you're ready,
Feel free to open your eyes,
Returning to the moment.
And walking forth from this meditation.
Remembering to act on those opportunities to show bravery.
Thank you for meditating with me today.
