be brave and kind…out in the world
May 31, 2012
“Be brave, be brave, be brave…” she whispered to herself as she put on her helmet. Lucy was (and still is) learning to ride her bike. She said the little mantra over and over and added a “You can do this” as she climbed on the seat.
I didn’t really know that bravery was calling me this year, until it did. Every situation around me was asking me to step into, or hunt it down or take one step closer.
…and I started whispering my little mantra to myself each time I was faced with some thing big or even something small that felt big… “Be brave and kind, it’s all you have to do, be brave and kind.”
maybe being brave is saying the words that are hard to speak, or to say nothing at all…
maybe being brave is making the next move, when it feels like there may not be any left…
maybe being brave is trusting you are enough…
maybe being brave is holding on, holding hope just a little tighter or by your last finger grip…
maybe being brave is believing what you hope is true, stepping boldly into joy…
Whatever it is, I know we are not meant to be brave alone, even though we face our worlds on our own. I remember years ago when I was very, very pregnant and our family was going through a very hard time. Depression had fallen over our house (for Jorge) and in the way where everything sort of fell apart , everything I knew over the years was looming suddenly became so clear.
While we were finding our way through, my dear friend Heather offered to give me a massage therapy session. During the session, at a point of finally being relaxed after holding so much, I closed my eyes and this very clear picture came into my mind like a giant movie screen.
I was walking up a huge hill, each step taking all my energy, at one weary moment I turned around, and a massive group of people were behind me, rows and rows, as far as the eye could see… holding hands, locked together like an army. It was a walk of bravery ahead, but even in all the darkness, the kindness was behind me.
So when Suzanne and I started to dream of what we wanted our soulsisterhood to be, we both knew Be Brave and Kind would be part of what we wanted in the world (I wrote about it here first). …and yet it feels more like part of our dream is that this art would bring people together like the rows, like hands locked together.
Just yesterday, I reached out to a few people I love, people that have walked the hill and people that have stood behind me, people that know what it is to be brave and kind, people that are claiming it everyday whether we succeed or not… I asked them to be part of this project by collecting each face in a picture.
Suzanne and I would love it if you would join us in making rows and rows of pictures…we would love it of you took a picture with the Be Brave and Kind print and send it to patience@kindessgirl.com so we can add it to the next row and watch it grow.
There are quite a few choices of prints and stickers you can buy here. Prints and stickers of all sizes.
But even if the print is not something for you right now but you would like to be part of this collective heart and art, send us a picture with the words Be Brave and Kind written on a piece of paper or your hand, or any other creative way you can think of. We would love for you to be part of this either way.
In the next few days, I will be giving clues as to where we hid a 5×5 sticker and just a couple tiny stickers around RVA. (because sometimes you just gotta hunt for that bravery!)
today’s hint: there is one sweet little sticker in the top copy of The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo at the Broad Street Barnes & Noble on Libbie Ave. on page 243.
And today we offer one 5×5 Be Brave and Kind Print to one lucky winner, just tell us one high and one low in your day today in the comments and you will be entered. We will announce the winner tomorrow night by 11pm.
Be Brave and Kind, it’s all we have to do…
ETA:
Beth from Savour, you are our winner! What a lovely blog you have too! (winner picked by a random.org)
Kindnessgirl 
May 31, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Highs and Lows… Such a norm for me. My HIGH today was when my little sister emailed me and she nailed the ACT and she is officially on her way to getting her RN degree at the age of 38 and three kids to boot. My low… my youngest, in the army, far from me, is getting divorce after only 2 years of marriage.
May 31, 2012 at 2:47 pm
I love this post – Patience, you are really hitting it on target for me right now. My high… two – my son’s first day of summer vacation, and noticing that my moonflower seedlings are sprouting through the ground by my deck and how much I look forward to these lovely blooms in a few months, glowing in the moonlight with their night time fragrance. My low…my oldest cat is not doing well and the struggle as to what is best for her at this point. Hoping I don’t have to make the choice.
May 31, 2012 at 3:09 pm
My High & Low are one and the same – a blog post I’m about to hit ‘publish’ on. My Low – letting someone else’s need to be competitive at my expense get to me, and damage someone else’s feelings to boot. My High – being able to recognize that for what it is, recognize that I have wonderful people around me who support my goals, and not letting myself go voiceless against the negativity. Speaking my truth is the best High in the world.
May 31, 2012 at 3:20 pm
My high and low today were one and the same. At lunch with my mom today, my 7 month old little man fed his bottle to HIMSELF. Mind you he’s held the bottle before, but as I chatted with my mom he took the bottle that was sitting in front of him and went to town! Of course I was shocked and took some pics, but then I got a bit sad. My HIGH- getting to see his milestones as he grows and learns new things:). My LOW- realizing that he’s growing and changing sooooo fast!!! Even life’s little moments are such a gift. ❤
May 31, 2012 at 3:28 pm
I always love your posts – they always brighten my day and make me think, like really reflect – which is always lands me in a better place than when I started.
My high for today was this morning. There were a few things in a row that just made me giggle. My low would be not accomplishing all that I wanted to, but I did accomplish a few things and by the inch it’s a cinch, but by the yard it’s hard, so we’re on our way!
May 31, 2012 at 3:40 pm
My high today so far is persevering through my “end of the year job duties” at work; which last week seemed insurmountable, but lo and behold they are getting accomplished and people compliment me for my outlook and zen of my work space and my low today is realizing that I am avoiding phone conversations with my husband because he has told me that he cannot handle my neediness and does not know how to help or if he is willing. I did just order some stickers and I am walking behind you, Patience. I am in your corner. 😉
May 31, 2012 at 3:48 pm
My high was seeing my awesome daughter-in-love, Paula in picture number one holding “Be Brave and Kind”. She is a wonderful wife to my son Gregory and an amazing mother to my precious grandson Nicholas.
My low was very low today. We just got home from
May 31, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Continued…from my brother-in-laws funeral. He was a brave and kind man. He will be missed. Pray for our family. It’s been a rough week, but being brave and kind helped me out immensely.
May 31, 2012 at 4:32 pm
I teach 4th grade, and today was the last day of the year with kids. That was both the high and low. {I hope I’m sending them out into the world with a little more courage and kindness then they had when they joined me in August!}
May 31, 2012 at 4:33 pm
In order of low to high today: I felt extremely worried and nearly frozen about going to my job this morning (it’s a very complex toxic situation). But as I was walking towards the subway I spotted a cluster of beautiful purple wildflowers growing near our local park. I snapped a photo of them with my phone and sent them to my dear husband with the words: “I picked some flowers for you!” My heart opened with the realization that I am able to give and receive love. So the fear released and I felt a jolt of courage to keep going. Patience I just love your imagery of everyone arm in arm, holding bravery in one hand and kindness in the other. What a truly gorgeous spirit you have!
May 31, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Where to start, where to start. I thought I might be able to capture a few spare minutes at the office today and brought a couple of cards and my awesome “kindness” stickers with me. Great intentions, right? Yet somehow I managed to spiral to frustrated. I lashed out at a co-worker and felt justified in doing so; went to the bathroom to cry and be disgusted with myself as it served no KIND purpose. I thought of sending this coworker one of my cards with a sticker and knew it was a shallow attempt to undo a harm that I had caused. I am anxious for tomorrow to apologize and at this point I am seeking a glimmer of a ” high point” of this day. Thanks for providing a place to share, to fail, to ne lifted up and to know I am not alone.
Peace and love and kindness…I hope to be brave and humble tomorrow.
May 31, 2012 at 8:51 pm
My high for today… my 5 year old son (who has verbal apraxia, which makes conversations difficult) called my father to wish him a happy birthday. For the very first time, my son had a descriptive conversation with my Dad on the phone! It was beautiful to hear the pride (and confidence) in his voice and to see the smile of joy on my son’s precious face. Seeing him be brave and take a risk is pure beauty. My low for today? Waking up to hear my kitty puking by my bed at 5am. Ick.
May 31, 2012 at 9:01 pm
High was spending the day with my Sister and my little man who doesn’t start kindergarten until next September so I still have these last few months before he is “school-aged”. Low was fighting with my Husband when he came home from work.
May 31, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Low- air Conditioning in my car died (I live in Ga!!)
High- watching ate sunrise ovr the river before leaving my parents house.
June 1, 2012 at 6:40 am
my high today so far: my oldest son, about to be thirteen, wearing my blue fuzzy robe this morning because it was chilly, and he kept smiling at me, knowing he looked silly, and saying, “this robe is awesome!” 🙂 My low was my 9 year old daughter berrating me for not putting her bagel in the toaster yet….kids usually make their own breakfast and she was whiny so I said I would but I hadn’t yet. I unleashed a torrent on her about finding fault and THEN (not great parenting moment) started listing things I have asked her to do that she hasn’t yet.
June 1, 2012 at 7:42 am
High: sweet rainfall after a dry season.
Low: being present to his pain and not being able to anything…
(but be brave and kind:).
June 1, 2012 at 9:05 am
High: Passing a 3 hour test required to keep my job of 5 years. The test had been looming over me like a dark cloud for the past 6 months. The best part, I didn’t just pass it, I got a 91%!
Low: My aunt who’s had so very much trauma in her life lately, a brain tumor, a massive brain bleed, a letter from the IRS saying she owes 16K, and now they think they’ve found a new breast cancer tumor (she’d been free of it for 5 years). Scary times.
June 1, 2012 at 9:07 am
low – a very sick kitty and a very difficult family decision
high – a 2 year old’s impromptu hug b/c mommy was sad
June 1, 2012 at 9:37 am
High: Celebrating my 10th anniversary with my love and best friend
Low: having to wear heels and a suit to work on this rainy day, when I want to curl up in pajamas and read
June 1, 2012 at 2:51 pm
My low was finding out that I need six months of anticoagulation for a blood clot in my leg that came out of no where…being brave, despite all of the scary things it could be caused by. My high today is my precious baby boy, sleeping soundly in my arms, listening to him breathe, feeling his warmth, thanking God he blessed us with our miracle.
June 1, 2012 at 2:58 pm
May God wrap you in his arms, just like you are doing with your son and may you feel just as safe!
June 2, 2012 at 9:04 am
Thank you so much. That actually made me cry.
June 1, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I got lost in thinking of my own high & low for my comment yesterday and remembered that I wanted to tell you something. Your beautiful daughter being able to encourage HERSELF – to talk herself through something that scared her – at her young age is amazing. You haven’t just given this girl thoughtfulness and courage as a gift to who she is, so that it comes from her, but you’ve given it to her as lovely armor to conquer the world. Good work mama! Congratulations! You definitely got this one right.
June 1, 2012 at 8:07 pm
my low– hearing that a classmate of mine died..leaving behind 3 small kids.. My high…. reading the brave and kind blog and following through with my 365 hours project
June 1, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Be brave and be kind. Thanks for being so honest and brave to share so much of yourself. You will never know how much you are helping.
High – spent the day with my daughter & talked about lots of stuff related to her going away to college in the Fall.
Low – did more talking than listening.
June 3, 2012 at 3:18 pm
So exited to have won this print!!! Can’t wait to send you my picture with it!
June 6, 2012 at 8:15 am
LOVELY! I so just want to encourage you in your work and your art and love and how you inspire the world!!!! Yes, we NEEED each other — we need community to be brave and kind…to our own selves and others. Thank you, Patience, for your presence and…how do I put this??….your compelling sense of “always continuing to be moved by and motivated by this call within you to be out in the world creating peace and kindness and bravery.” Love, Lis
November 30, 2012 at 7:48 pm
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