It's been a long week. Yes, I realize it's only Wednesday. Still, it's been a long week.
That said, on Monday, I dropped by one of my favorite stores (EllyBlue) and found this chalkboard sign out front.
She who is brave is free.
When I think about the word "brave" — which interestingly, I almost picked as my Soul Mantra for 2014 — I conjure images of a Joan of Arc-type, sitting tall on a majestic horse, sword drawn, ready for whatever fight she may need to face. Of course, she also doing said action while wearing a gorgeous white flowing dress, with her hair perfectly coifed, and her lipstick a most excellent shade of rose.
(I have an active imagination sometimes.)
But being "brave" is so very rarely quite so exciting, or managed in such a quote-unquote perfect way. It more often takes the form of choosing to get out of bed in the morning in a daily fight against depression. Or in finally scheduling that doctor's appointment to figure out why a literal pain in your neck won't go away.
Or, in trying to figure out how to word a blog post just so — by releasing lifelong perfectionist habits, or I'm-not-good-enough thoughts, or anxiety about what people [shudder] will think.
All tendencies that can be self-destructive and binding.
Or in other words, not freeing.
She who is brave is free.
She who is brave is free. And it's baby steps of bravery, baby steps of "showing up" for your life each and every day, that get you to that free place. (My Soul Mantra this year actually is "show up." More on that in a future blog post.)
It's exhausting, but important, work.
And is why it's been a long week for me, just three days in. I've been tackling projects, testing my limits. Being brave. And I know my work is nowhere near done.
Which is also why I might just crawl under the bedcovers for awhile. Breathe in some good alone-time freedom. And start fresh tomorrow.