Bravery comes in different forms. When I hear the word “brave,” I think of Princess Merida from Disney Pixar’s Brave. Princess Merida defied the traditional expectations of finding a husband and courageously created her own destiny. Joan of Arc also comes to mind because she bravely fought for France in the Hundred Years’ War. But when it comes to myself and how I’m brave, it requires more reflection. After much thought, here are three reasons why I am brave.
1) I am brave because I take chances.
First of all, I am brave because I take chances.
In the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, I packed up my life to move with my significant other. I left my job, my family, my friends, my apartment, and my hometown with absolutely no plans. The fear of uncertainty caused stress and many sleepless nights. But I did it all for love and for our well-being.
And everything turned out for the better. I found better job opportunities with better pay and benefits. I made a new home with my SO, his family, and his friends. Despite the fear of uncertainty, it was all a blessing in disguise. I got the chance of starting fresh and creating the life I’ve always wanted.
2) I force myself to get out of my comfort zone.
Next, I am brave because I force myself to get out of my comfort zone. To add onto the first point, I took a chance and took myself out of my little bubble.
I left my job of four and a half years. Upon moving, I spent many months job searching. I had to re-train myself how to behave in an interview. Many phone calls and emails were left unreplied. It took me six months to find a job at a highly sought-after and competitive firm. I was laid off after five months of employment.
So I had to start searching again. At first, I was discouraged, embarrassed, and less confident. But I never gave up.
It took me another nine months of applying and interviewing until I got a job offer. Now I’m working with a company that offers great benefits, values me, and treats me well.
3) I learn from my mistakes and move on.
Lastly, I am brave because I learn from my mistakes and I move on.
One of my biggest life lessons was when I moved away from home for college. For the first time in my life, I was free to do whatever I wanted. I lived in the dorms and got drunk every weekend without parental supervision. Eventually, I focused on socializing more than studying. And it caught up to me.
I was placed on academic probation and forced to move back home. Initially, I was devastated and my parents were embarassed about it. But like other experiences, it was a blessing in disguise.
I learned from my mistakes and moved on. I enrolled in community college to finish my pre-requisite courses. Then I transferred to a four year university, where I finished my degree. From my past mistakes, I learned to discipline myself and balance my priorities. I finished my last two semesters on both the Dean’s List and President’s List. And since then, my family hasn’t brought up my failures again.
Recap of Reasons Why I am Brave
Today’s WordPress Bloganuary prompt had me thinking about how I am brave. One reason why I am brave is that I take chances. Another reason is that I force myself to get out of my comfort zone. The third and final reason is that I learn from my mistakes and I move on.
If you missed yesterday’s Bloganuary prompt, catch up now.
You can also connect with me on social media.
