Can Simple Acts of Daily Life that Define Bravery?

“Bravery is not a quality of the body. It is of the soul.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

When we want to define bravery, the first thing that comes into our mind is the sacrifice made by the people who lay down their lives for the greater good or the people who stand up for an idea and make it a reality.

But, the truth is, everyone is fighting their own battle. Everyone has their own mountain to climb. And, everyone is going through each of these things everyday.

The truth is, the acts of daily life, the struggles of each day and our reaction to them define bravery.

So, here’s a list of things that we do everyday that define bravery.

Ego: Enemy to End

Ego is man’s worst enemy which actually seems like best friend to the person who possesses it. Fighting against ego is like fighting one’s own self. It’s hard to let go of the ego inside and accept mistakes.

When we challenge our own ideas and accept our mistakes, we define bravery.

Here are some ways to control Ego:

- Know that you are not the best and accept your mistakes.
- Acknowledge other people’s qualities.
- Appreciate the little things in life.

Kind, not Right Choices Define Bravery

Everything that I have learnt and heard since I was a kid, has been about being a good person and doing the right thing. It was a moment of epiphany when I realised that not everything is about being right.

Sometimes, the roads of being right and being kind diverge in the woods and it’s hard to not choose the right path as that’s what we have always been taught. But, I have learnt that sometimes, being kind is more important than being right.

Others’ Needs versus Our Own

The world is a beautiful place, not because of the Flowers, Mountains, Oceans or Valleys.

Beauty, I believe is everything we can’t touch.

Beauty, I believe, is the mere kindness that humans can show for each other and other creatures.

Beauty, I believe, is in selflessness.

Beauty, I believe, is the simple act of keeping others’ needs before our own.

And this beauty, I know, defines bravery.

Optimism through Tough Days

“Being brave means knowing that when you fail, you don’t fail forever.”
― Lana Del Rey

Life has its ups and downs. Surprises are always around the corner, some of our liking and some, not so much. It’s normal to not feel upbeat on bad days. It’s okay to feel sad or even cry. We are supposed to embrace what we are feeling inside in order to let it go.

Accepting the feelings inside and still not letting go of the hand of optimism, is the real deal. Optimism isn’t feeling happy all the time. Optimism is believing that it’s going to be better even when we are on our worst.

Believing

“Bravery is believing in yourself, and that thing nobody can teach you.”
― El Cordobes

Some days run low on hope. On such days, what keeps us moving is believing. In this world where almost everything around us is trying to pull us down, believing in oneself is a rebellious act.

To believe in yourself when the entire world is trying to prove that you shouldn’t, is to define bravery.

It’s not something that comes at some profound moment. It’s something that is done everyday, little by little.