sharing bravery…
April 3, 2014
Because I don’t want to forget his words when he is old, old like a man, because he might forget in a moment of doubt, and I know I will- probably in 2 more seconds, my faith is shakier than his. It seems this conversation might be the kind we are building our lives on without even knowing it exactly. We are slowly figuring out we don’t have to do it alone, we were never meant to. It’s the kind of knowledge you need to be whole and together…and to do something really great (or maybe just survive), for and with each other.
The story:
Jack overheard me on the phone lamenting to my sister about a film project I am working on. The weight of everything I don’t know is swirling, the feelings of just how ludicrous it is to even take it on are BIG, the revelation of how much growth is required… and wanting it so bad and knowing it is meant for me, all at the same time. I hung up the phone unaware he was listening.
Jack: Mom, you are gonna do that big film.
Me: I dunno, it just feels so much bigger than me some times,
I just have to keep being brave, you know?
Jack: Do that for me mom…
You do it for me
and I’ll do it for you
you keep doing it for me
and I’ll do it for you…
Me: Yeah, I can do that.
Jack: Yeah, me too.
Me: Like for our whole lives, huh?
Jack: Yup, that sounds good.
It never occurred to me that we could share bravery until he suggested it. I don’t know why but Jack’s request and belief in me instantly makes me feel more brave and hopeful. Maybe it’s because he’s 11 or that I feel 11 again, but the idea that we could be brave for each other, taking turns, giving what we have and taking what we need feels profound.
All along bravery seemed like this point to buck up, dig deep, show up- still requiring me to drum something up on my own and that feels so out of reach at times. It seems to me that holding that ground and space for each other is the only chance for us to sustain any work we believe in with all of our hearts.
So…look for a film (way later) and a Bravery Exchange BE (sooner) dreamed up with some new and dear sharing partners.
Feel free to tell us in the comments today what you need some bravery for and also feel free to share some of your own bravery if you feel called to a story. Even a simple, “I will do that for you ________.” works just fine.
Kindnessgirl 
April 3, 2014 at 9:25 am
LOVE that our kids sometimes show us the way….
April 3, 2014 at 12:19 pm
Jack just wiggled his way into my heart and I don’t even know you guys. Great, great story. Wow. I love this.
April 4, 2014 at 2:44 pm
I need help being brave helping my husband fight his cancer. All treatments, his fatigue, his anger, his depression… I have to be brave for both of us. Carry the weight for both of us. Work for both of us and stop having anxiety attacks at work that make me feel like my heart is going to be cut out of my chest. I need to be brave and I’m feeling so weak…
April 4, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Beautiful. thank you for sharing. we are often unaware how Brave kids are and how much wisdom & strength they possess. Let us be Brave for each other. I need help being Brave trusting that the message I have deserves to be heard/seen on a larger scale. HUGS to you for the Wonderful work you do Patience. <3, Kristin
April 5, 2014 at 8:04 am
Oh Patience, you have such a gift to put thoughts in to words that resonate with so many others. Brave, be brave, so much easier said than done sometimes. Why do we feel the need to be brave on our own or is it that we need to be brave enough to tell someone else, I need you to be brave for me. Look forward to hearing so much more about the film project, you can do it. Just keep moving forward. Thanks for sharing musical bravery with me ♡
August 5, 2014 at 11:46 am
Jack is an awesome little boy.
September 4, 2014 at 1:13 am
Two advanced copies of a book I’ve been working on for two years arrived at my door today. It took some bravery to open the book, and even more bravery to figure out how to shout it out into the world. So special that I was called to open your blog tonight. Thank you Patience. Very meaningful exchange with your son as I’m watching my daughters enter new schools – starting over. Knowing no one. Seeing their bravery. Yes – Nice to enter into courage together!
September 27, 2014 at 8:18 am
Hello Patience (love the name!),
I’m happy to have stumbled upon this post, which led me to your lovely blog! I’ve included this post in my “Joyful Reads for the Weekend”–the link is here, if you’d like to take a look: http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2014/09/joyful-reads-for-the-weekend-vol-32-how-to-do-anything-better.html. Looking forward to reading more of your work!
Cheers,
Joy
September 27, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Hello Patience, I love your post! I believe very strongly in the concept of sharing patience. You are right – we are not meant to go it alone.
Glad to have discovered your blog, found it through a link on Joyfully Green.
Cheers,
Carol at Ahh The Simple Life