I was honored to be recently invited to a friend’s 85th birthday party. The hosts asked each of us to bring a story as a gift – perhaps, the invitation suggested, of a “challenge you faced that required you to find your courage.” We heard incredible stories of women organizing to fight Apartheid, moving across continents, facing cancer, or gathering with others in the face of adversity. I talked about my leap of faith in moving from Brooklyn, which I’ve written about here.
I’ve been thinking about courage all week. About acts of bravery in the news, like the firefighters in Los Angeles – especially those who flew in from other places – who risk their lives to save lives and homes. Or the divers searching for the remnants of the plane crash in Washington DC. I think about the hospital staff who kept going to work through the Covid pandemic. And of people who are already speaking out about the new administration – like Jim Acosta or Caroline Kennedy this week.
I also think of the very private acts of courage – taken by my divorce clients, who realized that their marriage didn’t fit them anymore and did something about it. Or those who start a new chapter with grace. Or the kids I used to work with who spoke up against abuse.
There are incredible acts of courage all around us. We just have to see them. And we all have it in us to be brave.
What DOES make someone brave? What does it take to face your fears? What does it take to act even when you are afraid? Why do we do the right thing in the face of adversity?
I don’t know what courage is, but I know we are all going to need it, individually and collectively, over the next few years. And if you need inspiration, try getting together with friends and sharing stories of your own courage. I can’t think of a better way to lift your spirits.
And so I leave you with this, one of my favorite songs – Brave by Sara Bareilles.