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A nudge toward bigger, braver new year By Sharon Johnson Jan 01, 2023 12:30 AM A A What is the bravest thing you have ever done? Was that too abrupt? Perhaps I should phrase that question differently. I will try — and give you a moment to process your response. When asked about being brave, online research shows we put forth answers like “stand alone in front of people and sing, be funny or give a talk.” On any list of online responses is “have a dissenting opinion and voice it” or “tell someone you love them.” There also are, of course, responses like “go to the dentist,” “quit a comfortable job” or “spend time at a nudist colony.” Bravery has many dimensions. For each of us it means something a little different. But there are some standout common denominators. What do you think? I consider the moments when I have stepped up to defend the right to a make a comment when it was from someone whose position I disagreed with vehemently as a brave act. Or walking away from a comment or a person who hurt me. Crying can be considered a brave act. But “to live mindfully” is even braver. Consider this: “What is the bravest thing you have ever said?” asked the boy. “Help,” said the horse. “Asking for help isn’t giving up,” said the horse. “It’s refusing to give up.” That is just one of many life reminders from Charlie Mackesy’s book, “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.” If you have not read that book to a child over this holiday season, or watched the 32-minute adaptation, perhaps you should. What are some things that make you brave? I am told we should thoughtfully ponder that question and remind ourselves to “savor” those “small but mighty” moments when we feel we have acted in a brave manner and let them empower us to take more and perhaps bigger, braver actions. Essayist Sarah Kathleen Peck says bravery is: “Saying what you believe in. Out Loud.” She has some very practical applications. She reminds us to “Stand out on social media and collect the dots, not connect them too early.” “The world is waiting for you to grow into the next version of you.” That also is a quote from Peck. I don’t even know this woman, this writer, but I like her a lot. She has a way of offering a gentle, yet firm nudge toward a bigger, braver new year. Maybe bravery is “showing up.” Stepping into turmoil. The people of Ukraine are a lesson in bravery. As was their leader when he showed up at a joint legislative session before our U.S. Congress last week. The treacherous winter weather across the country this past week has surfaced examples of bravery and outreach. For first responders, showing up and personal bravery is built into their job descriptions. Oliver Wendell Holmes said bravery is when you “have the courage to act instead of react.” When you show up — remember that. Sharon Johnson is a retired educator. Reach her at [email protected]