Next letter up for the A-Z challenge of Positive Personality Traits is B - and B is for Brave. Bravery is something that I appreciate in others. Having the courage of your convictions is such an admirable quality. To know what you believe and to stay true to that belief despite opposition, and to do it all with honour and grace is what being brave is all about.
The world is full of trolls who are quick to shoot others down. They hide behind anonymous faces and they spew their vitriol and then retreat into the shadows. They poison others with their words and opinions and feel justified in doing so. This isn't being courageous or brave, this is a type of cowardice. If you have an opinion be brave enough to own it, to put your face to it and to be able to explain what you think and how you feel. You don't need to attack others to prove your point.
I'm not sure when we became a world of faceless beings who have an opinion on everything, and I haven't really worked out why we hold the view that it's okay to demean others to make our opinion more valid. Maybe it's time we stepped off our high horses and took the time to read and think and ponder and understand issues before we jump up and down and demand to be heard.
Knowing what your values are, knowing what you believe, being able to articulate them without attacking others, that is true bravery. The quietly courageous who get on with living their lives without having to stuff their opinion down other people's throats are the real heroes. The people who quietly get on with living their lives genuinely and openly and who invest in others and encourage them to form their own views are the brave ones.
See you next time for the continuation of Positive Personality Traits - C is for Considerate.
This post is part of the April #atozhallenge.
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To keep up to date with my posts, feel free to add your email into the spot especially for it on my sidebar or follow me on facebook
Oh boy... bravery is something I struggle with. I tend to be timid and more than willing to hide rather than confront. Definitely something I need to work on.
ReplyDeleteMolly @MyCozyBookNook
My Cozy Book Nook
Revising Life after 50
It's a learning curve about how to be brave and strong and yet not be offensive either - I think we get better at it as we go along :)
DeleteYou're right-- to invest in other and not yourself is a very unpopular, brave thing to work on- and surprisingly, others value so much more anything else you might do to demand attention.
ReplyDeleteFarin from The Newest Vazquez
I think we have to allow others to have different views to us Farin - and appreciate the differences rather than cowardly attacking them.
DeleteDidn't know I'm so close to being brave :) I have strong beliefs, live my life, respect other people opinions but don't let them demean me or anyone else who "doesn't fit in the mold" in any way, it's just I need to work on the quiet part...
ReplyDeleteI think you've nailed it Zeljka - I would love to be that confident in being brave - you will be my role model!
DeleteThe fine balance between being polite and yet being able to express our opinions is hard to achieve specially on social media... where you can see everyone voicing their thoughts and judging without even thinking. I guess people who face them with a smile are brave too :)
ReplyDeleteVisiting from A to Z Challenge
Pam's Unconventional Alliance Team
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
I agree Rajlakshmi - bravery has many different faces but being kind is part of it every time. Express your opinions, but respect the feelings of others. :)
DeleteI think bravery and authenticity go hand in hand.Thank you for a great post. #atozparticipant.
ReplyDeletethanks Gulara - I agree that they go together - you have to be brave to embrace your authenticity!
DeleteWonderful post! We need this kind of bravery! <3
ReplyDeleteMary Lou from Me In The Middle
@qmarylou_q
thanks Mary Lou - we really do need more people to be brave and stop hiding behind anonymity!
DeleteWe definitely need this kind of bravery in American politics, Leanne. Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Lori
My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
Follow Me (Ravyne) Twitter|Facebook
I see all the updates on fb about what's going on in American politics Ravyne and it scares me to death - how did you manage to end up with Donald Trump looking like a front runner - scary stuff!
Delete"I'm not sure when we became a world of faceless beings who have an opinion on everything..."
ReplyDeleteYou know... this line is something I've thought about so often, and this post is amazing. TY for sharing your thoughts.
Bravery isn't always about being heroic ... it is about taking action [for me] and your post brings that message across beautifully.
Thanks so much Adri - I love that this resonated with you - it's something we all need to be braver about in this faceless online world - not using anonymity as a front to hide behind, but being brave and considerate of the feelings and thoughts of others.
DeleteBeing brave is having the courage to live by your principles no matter what the crowd is saying. We usually find the bullies of the world are not so brave when we stand up to them. Great post Leanne.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true Sue, if we stand strong and hold true to our beliefs we are a force to be reckoned with!
DeleteStaying true to one's convictions and speaking up for them is true act of bravery! A scarce commodity when people are hiding behind masks cast to mold and blend into the society! Great post Leanne :)
ReplyDelete@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
thanks Kala - it is so important for us to stand up for what's right and to support each other. Bravery is a commodity this world needs more of.
DeleteGreat post and I agree whole heartedly. I am fairly opinionated, but I don't feel the need to hide. I am happy to share my opinions openly, and if someone thinks something different, that's up to them. I don't need to invalidate other people's thoughts and beliefs to make me feel better about my own. I hate trolls - most of them don't have an original bone in their body and just disagree with whatever anyone says to cause an argument!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I think being opinionated is a good thing - if you balance it with consideration for other people - as you get older and wiser you get better at it - I think online trolls have never learnt the balance.
DeleteThere is something about the Internet and social media that brings out the worst in people, I think. The horrible trolling that goes on can literally destroy lives. I agree with you completely!Alana@RamblinGarden from
ReplyDeleteRamblin with AM
I think people can hide behind their online facades and don't think about the damage they do. If we all thought about others a little more there'd be a lot less destruction.
DeleteI love the theme that you have chosen for this challenge and you are off to a great start. Thanks for visiting my blog; I'll be back to read more here.
ReplyDeletehttps://hesterleynel.wordpress.com/category/blogging-challenge/
thanks Hester - I'm loving checking out lots of new blogs and sharing stories - it's great!
DeleteKnowing what you believe makes it easier to be brave and true to yourself.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Pat - it seems like it takes a long time to get to that point though for a lot of us!
DeleteYou certainly cannot underestimate the value of bravery. Fear is so counterproductive.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of us let fear steal our joy and our courage Ann - being brave bring some of that back :)
DeleteOh I love your theme! Can't wait to see what the other days bring!
ReplyDeletethanks so much Jen - leave a link and I'll check out yours too x
DeleteTrue. Internet is full of such coward trolls. It really is so much braver to own up to your opinions.
ReplyDeleteHopped over from the A to Z. I'm blogging about 'happiness' this month. Do stop by sometime. Cheers!
- Chicky @ www.mysteriouskaddu.com
I love happiness blogs Chicky - I will be over to read and comment :)
DeleteThis is such an important personality trait as well. It is what makes people stand out and how discoveries are made. Because of the bravery of some, we find new cures, new insights and new understandings. The non-brave benefit and learn from the brave. We expand our horizons and embrace new territories!
ReplyDeleteLiesbet @ Roaming About – A Life Less Ordinary
What wonderful insights Liesbet - I agree completely - where would we be without those people who lead with the courage of their convictions? The world would be less without them.
DeleteYou had me right up until that last word grace.. Lol.. I'm sort of in your face brave person. Lol.. Other than the grace God gives me every day, I know nothing of it. :)
ReplyDeletewe all show bravery in our own ways but I'm a gret believer in doing no harm to others in the process :-)
DeleteGood advice -- I think bravery is so important -- as well as taking responsibility for your opinions. Looking forward to C.
ReplyDeletethanks Shari - there's definitely a balance between being brave and being considerate.
DeleteBravery... my word for 2016 is Courage... and the topic of my A-to-Z challenge. Courage to be who you were created to be. I hope you'll check out my post today, "Bold Courage" at www.merriehansen.com
ReplyDeleteI'll be over to check it out Merrie - I read your B post and courage is a great word for 2016 :-)
DeleteLeanne, I love it. You have hit on something that I was discussing with my father and husband recently...people throwing rocks on the internet and then hiding their hands as opposed to those who stand firm for what they believe and are willing to take the flack. Thank you for sharing this. I really like this series and am looking forward to the rest of the alphabet.
ReplyDeletethanks so much Regina - I think the internet allows people's worst natures to come out and we need to be brave enough to say that it's not acceptable. x
DeleteThere are so many ways of being brave. Sometimes just getting up in the morning and going through the day requires courage. Finding Eliza
ReplyDeleteI agree Kristin - when life is tough (for whatever reasons) that's when bravery really comes into its own. We can't afford to let life beat us!
DeleteVery well stated...your Bravery post, and so are your commenters. It is interesting the scope of opinions and thoughts of who, what and how bravery is measured. As Kristin...above...stated "There are so many ways of being brave". So, to all I say...be and have a 'Brave Heart'.
ReplyDeleteSue at CollectInTexas Gal
thanks Sue - I think bravery is an overlooked quality - we think about brave soldiers etc but not about the courage it takes to stand firm and believe in our values.
DeleteI struggle with bravery. I tend to worrying and fear. As I've gotten Older though, I have gotten more comfortable being braver, at least in my own way!
ReplyDeleteI think we were all a little less brave in our younger days whwn it came to stating our opinions Rosie but with age comes wisdom and holding true to what we know to be right x
DeleteThe second tattoo I got was the Japanese kanji for "courage", and it's on my left shoulder, always pushing me forward.
ReplyDeleteI try to be brave, and to remember that sometimes just getting out of bed is brave enough!
@dSavannahCreate from
dSavannahRambles
#AtoZChallenge2016 theme: dSavannah Defects
It is so true that life can be tough dSavannah - it takes a lot out of us at times and finding the courage and strength to face the world and hold true to our values can be hard work at times.
DeleteWow this is so good and true. I had written a similar article for B and I am sure you would love it. http://www.consumerpsyche.com/2016/04/b-for-build-it-up.html
ReplyDeleteWe need more strong and firm people to fight out our values ans never let our spirit go down.
Cheers.
Hi Tiger - I read yours and we are definitely on the same page - it's nice to connect up with a like minded blogger - thanks for visiting :)
Delete"I'm not sure when we became a world of faceless beings who have an opinion on everything, and I haven't really worked out why we hold the view that it's okay to demean others to make our opinion more valid. " Yes. Yes. Yes. It's so awful.
ReplyDeleteCarol Cassara
www.carolcassara.com
Me either Carol - I think the internet brings out the worst in some people because they can be faceless - you would think people would tend towards kindness, but it always seems to go the other way - sad but true!
DeleteHi Carol,
ReplyDeleteDo you think the "faceless humans... that have opinions on everything" started with the Internet? At any rate, from what I hear it's tough. I've been attacked on my blog a handful of times, and I'm only in my second year. I try to be thick-skinned about it.
Janice
So sorry Leanne, I know it's you. I just finished writing Carol!
Deletethat's okay Janice - I'll be Carol for you :) and I can easily believe that facelessness was one of the bad side effects of the internet - there always has to be the other side of the coin (unfortunately!)
DeleteI do think sometimes it is easier to become braver as we age. I at least find that true of myself. Today with so much social media to hide behind, people justify saying whatever is on their mind more freely and have no regard to what those words may or may not do to others.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true Michelle - bravery is more than just opening your mouth and spewing out whatever comes to mind - it's about having the courage of your convictions but sprinkling it with some kindness too.
DeletePeople are brave in different ways, facing disease, social problems and so many things. It's an important personality trait to have.
ReplyDeleteYes, we take so much for granted in our lives Susan and you are right that there are a lot of courageous people out there living their lives bravely every day!
DeleteWow, you're doing a terrific job although I'm going backwards. I'm really enjoying this series. I started to do it myself, but I knew I couldn't commit to every day. I'm lucky to get something out once a week any more. I'm trying to do better just never enough time in the day.
ReplyDeleteBravery is an essential trait for one's growth. Shashank from Tale of a Broken Soul
ReplyDelete