We Are All Brave — Inspire And Empower Others With Your Brave Soul
We All Are Brave — Inspire and Empower Others With Your Brave “Purpose Soul”
Today when I woke up I had fear in my soul. I actually jolted awake and was in what we call the “fight and flight” mode. I asked myself, “what are you running away from and why do you feel fear?” I had no idea. So I took the time to meditate and calm that fast heartbeat down that was pounding through my chest. The moment reminded me of the days when I was facing cancer and having to take care of myself alone. I always had a bit of fear tucked away in a suitcase due to the unknown I was facing. Was I going to push through this horrible disease? Every day I told myself that in order to kick its butt that I had to be brave, to dig in and live my life from the inside out. I had the power, the will, and faith that things were meant to be, even though I was scared.
I learned that I needed to have more compassion for myself and others, and understand that we can’t always control everything and that our power is really learning to let go and lean in to what is making us uncomfortable. This was how I thought I could heal myself…..my body, heart, mind, and soul. To this day I share this idea with others on a daily basis. Being brave is about surrendering to the fact that while facing diversity you do not always have to fight, be in fight and flight mode like a deer that is running away from a tiger. We can learn to let go and BE with what is scaring us and challenge it with our whole BEING. As Buddhists like to say, “lean into the fear” and become its friend. This is when you are a true warrior and a brave being.
Bravery is a powerful trait that we all have. Many of us do not know this until we are faced with scary situations such as facing an illness or injury, having a spouse die and leaving us with no funds to live on, losing a loved one, our job, house, and life savings. However, I believe the biggest loss of all is when you lose your sense of self. And today, many individuals are seeking for their sense of self by asking themselves, “what is my cause, my purpose.” This is not always an easy answer to figure out and when you work on pushing through trying to figure it out. Many of us may go through some darkness while we are trying to find that light. And a lot of us are going through this in our careers because management is not there to lead us and show us what we have inside of us to give back.
I am told I am brave because I fought cancer twice, believe in myself and my skills while running my own business, have put my life together after facing many tragedies, and swim in the ocean when I know that once I am out there I have to BE and let the sea cradle me and yet also know she has the upper hand. This is life my friends. For the most part we are not in control. And to face life everyday with its trials and tribulations we are being brave souls, especially in the workplace where many of feel as though we have no voice or purpose.
Since I am writing a Linkedin post I want to focus on what it means to be brave in your career. I have found over the years that being brave in your workplace simply means being you and sharing that you with others. Many individuals believe that if they try to lead or speak out about something others will disagree with them and they will get penalized in one way or another by upper management. They may be seen as “know it all” or trouble maker who wants attention and believes they are their own boss. This is what we hear so many times about the Millennials. They set their own rules and go for it. Now this is brave!
Sure there are rules and processes to follow in our jobs. There has to be in Corporate America, in start-ups, and in your own business I am not saying that we always have to toot our own horn in the workplace. But what is essential is to empower ourselves to be the you that you want to be and to share the you that is wanting to evolve and give back for your own benefit and the benefit of others. This is your purpose. And once you define your purpose there is no turning back. Game on!
There are too many of us sitting in our cubes, flying endless miles in the sky and missing out on our lives back home, working 10 plus hour workdays, and taking on more work with less pay. You wonder why 88% of our workforce is unhappy? Many of us are not being true to ourselves and we know it. I can’t tell you how many times I would be coming home from a trip and walking through the airport on my way to my car crying feeling alone, sad, and exhausted. I realize now that I cried because I did not like my job and wanted to be the one speaking on stage versus being the one who empowered and worked my behind off to make sure my co-workers and clients were seen. Do you ever feel this way? I bet you do, now more than ever.
Don’t get me wrong. There are many individuals who are fine with their 8 to 5 jobs. It’s all good. But for those of you who feel like you can do more by using your voice and taking action you believe will help you, others, your employer, and strangers evolve, GO FOR IT. Believe in yourself and what you feeling inside. Keep that fire burning and not let anyone put it out. Keep your communication lines that much more open with your peers and managers. Create coalitions, or as I always like to say, build your tribe and let that tribe evolve into another tribe where new leaders will show their bravery and willingness to put themselves out there to speak out and ACT ON A PURPOSE.
BRAVEY IS YOU.
BRAVERY IS SHARING YOU.
BRAVERY IS TEACHING OTHERS TO BE BRAVE.
BRAVERY IS KNOWING THAT YOU ARE NEEDED IN THIS WORLD AND NOTHING CAN HOLD YOU BACK IF YOU PUT YOUR HEART AND MIND TO IT.
BRAVERY IS ABOUT LEANING INTO EMOTIONS AND SITUATIONS THAT MAY MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AND LEARNING FROM THEM.
BEING BRAVE IS NOT BEING SCARED TO LIVE WITH ADVERSITY AND LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST.
BRAVERY IS KNOWING THAT SOMETIMES YOUR BACK MAY BE AGAINST A WALL AND THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO KICK THAT WALL AND PUSH FORWARD WITH FAITH THAT LIFE WILL GET BETTER.
BRAVERY IS IN YOUR BEING. NEVER, NEVER, GIVE UP AND MAKE SURE SHARE YOUR VOICE WITH THE WORLD.
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