bravery

   Bravery. A synonym of courage. What does it mean? I've been familiar with the term for quite a while, but I never thought to make it part of my story. After pondering the subject, I realized that it has nothing to do with making really stupid decisions. Breaking the law isn't brave- it's stupid. Then again, one could be standing up for their unalienable rights. So, I can't come to a conclusion.
   I've never been able to do something 'brave' when I think about possible consequences. Today I climbed a tree, and it was only when I was 20 feet in the air when I looked down. I couldn't continue to climb after that. Stupid decision? Probably. Last week, I told a guy I liked him. Stupid decision? Not as of now. Only time will tell. Last year, I officially accepted Jesus Christ. Stupid decision? Absolutely not. It's the reason I haven't been holding back as much lately. I'm gaining some odd sense of blind trust that I've never felt before. Will I jump off of a bridge and trust that I'll just stop in midair? I don't think it's supposed to be quite that literal. Will I walk into a room, full of people I don't know, and trust that I'll make friends? Getting there. I know I'll have to talk to people in order to do so. I can't stay in a shell, in a comfort zone, for the entirety of my life. Then again, I can't stare at the sun out of curiosity. There must be some sort of happy medium that will get me somewhere.
   Isn't it funny how irony appears everywhere? Call me crazy, but if you look for it, you'll start to see it. The most obvious occurrence that I've noticed this year is the similarity of one of my routines to this new feeling. It is a modern dance choreographed by Brooke Wendle, and she described the story behind the series of movements before we started. Inspired by her trip to Africa, Wendle explained that we were supposed to be disabled in the beginning. No movement, no smiles, nothing. We were just in contorted positions without the slightest hint of hope. Then, something amazing happened. We started moving. The initial reaction is a little uneasy, yet curiosity surely overpowers this. As we start getting more comfortable with this new development, we stop stumbling as much and are overcome with an inexplicable joy and passion. What a blessing it is to move! I'm starting to feel it.
  I must have not been able to "move" before, stuck the box I put myself in. It's amazing what a little faith and trust will do. I was afraid to give anything a chance, but now I'm never looking back to where I used to be. Sure, there were no risks to be had and no possibilities of hurting myself, but that will get someone nowhere. It builds character! I think it's time I step out and show people who I really am. I have a yearning feeling that's bigger than me, and I have to say yes to life in order to satisfy it.  After all, what fun is it to live a mundane life? It's called living for a reason, and you only get one chance. Life was given out of generosity, so don't waste it. It's time to be brave.
  
Love,
                Allison

2. Away from the Sun- 3 Doors Down (see the Vitamin String Quartet version too. It's the song we dance to.)