On Being Brave

Everyday, I hear about crimes where people risk their lives to save themselves and others.  And it all makes me think about what I would do if I were in their position.

Would I risk my life?

Would I laugh in the face of danger?

And at what cost?

What would it take for me to be brave?

In the past, I’ve been the person who would stake out the nearest exit, and plan the route I would take at the first sign of danger.  Then take it, without even thinking about who I was with.

I remember one of my first college parties.

A fight broke out, sending police officers armed with guns swarming the place. The chaos that ensued sent me into a full panic. I ended up leaving the friends I came with, and catching the first ride I could get back to campus.

I had been in my dorm room for at least half an hour before my friends returned with relief from worry all over their faces. Apparently, they’d been trying to find me, but I was no where to be found.

I was anything but brave that day.

And if I was anything, I was selfish.

And scenes like that played out over and over with different situations and different people.

I’d like to think that nowadays I wouldn’t be so selfish.  I’d show that I cared about those who cared about me.  I’d be brave enough to think about whether I could help someone else as I saved myself.

Afterall, you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Right?

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Linking with The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday.  Today, we write with the word brave in mind.

You can join too.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back The Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in.

3. Encourage the writer who linked up before you.

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