Why Brave Girl?

I became unattached from a crucial truth recently: People are people. It's seems ignorantly obvious, right? I've been so caught up with "pick me" guest blog applying, "I see you" tweeting & "follow me, damnit" notification checking that the core of me slipped away a bit. I saw myself dissolving into the screen, longing for acceptance from avatars & snapshots. But then I woke to the first snow of the season. It came in fluffy white flakes, the familiar cool drops of clarity landing onto my rosy cheeks. I put my knit socks on, shut down my laptop & listened to the person sitting in front of me. I looked into their eyes. It broke the ice building inside of me. This moment is for us.

Warmth. Eyes bright with understanding. Visions. Sipping hot drinks while smiling.

"Why Brave Girl? What does it mean?" It turned my moments of listening into a question that felt like those snowflakes. Clarity. "What a wonderful question. Thank you for asking. "My politeness was a stall tactic (although it was a truly thoughtful question).

Why Brave Girl?

It all poured out: "Can I let you in on a secret? I am scared of many things. Brave Girl is an aspiration. It is also a reminder to people putting a microscope on their weaknesses & a blind eye to their strengths to stop doing that, myself included. We need both to be whole. You are worthy simply because you are here. Showing up as YOU is one of the most courageous acts in your life. I want to celebrate my wholeness more than I want to be ruled by the exhaustive effort of trying to be good enough until I can do so."

I was teary-eyed by the end of it. Life is emotional, exhausting & eye-opening but it is never too much. We all deserve to be here. For you, Em.