Can you be Brave?

One of the most inspiring songs in terms of lyrics that I have heard in recent years is "Brave" by Sara Bareilles. It is intended as encouragement for anyone who is afraid to "come out". When I listen to this song, it always stirs some deep emotion within me that moves me to tears as I know there are so many people in this world who are fearful of living their truths. The song could just as easily apply to fear in general. The kind of fear that stops anyone from being who they truly are. The fear that lurks in just about everyone in one way or another. The kind of fear that requires being brave to conquer.

I know many people who live in fear. So, when I read this quote on Facebook today - the one you see above, it really struck a chord with me. It was the perfect summation of what I wanted to say to so many people, myself included. I felt my heart race as I read it. I wanted to shout it at the top of my lungs, because to live life any other way just seems like a waste to me. What is up with "settling"? Or not speaking up? Or working at a "job you hate"? Take the leap! "Be fucking brave."

Take all your excuses and toss them in the rubbish bin. They are just that. Excuses. If you truly believe that you are here in this one short lifetime to be happy or share your gifts or talents with the world before you die, there really is very little time to waste in fear. Quit hovering there. What are you afraid of? What other people will think? (that is usually a biggie) Afraid of failure? (the second biggie) Ask yourself one simple question. IS IT TRUE? I guarantee you that 9 times out of 10 it is not.  It's never too late. You always wanted a degree or doctorate? What is stopping you? Your marriage is a sham or abusive or dead? Leave it. You would rather be anywhere on earth than at your workplace? Quit. Find a new job or start your own business. Take risks. Experiment. Show some fucking enthusiasm for life. Please, just BE BRAVE! 

Brave

by Sara Bareilles

You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave

Everybody’s been there,
Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy
Fallen for the fear
And done some disappearing,
Bow down to the mighty
Don’t run, just stop holding your tongue

Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

And since your history of silence
Won’t do you any good,
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
See you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you