Of fur, fins, feathers, and bravery - but mostly bravery

"It is hard to be brave," said Piglet, sniffling slightly, "when you're only a Very Small Animal."

Week 29 of Photo 52: Fun, fin, or feathers - mini horsie!

There are many ways to be brave.  We often think of those really big kinds of bravery - those who lay their lives on the line for another, or for a great cause. Or those who sacrifice everything for what they believe in.

Yet there are also those who simply dare to imagine that they could have a different life - even if they feel like a big fat failure - those who march into the great unknown with.... nothing.  (Based on lines from one of my favorite movies, "You've Got Mail")  These folks are a resilient kind of brave, who get back up every time - no matter how far knocked down they've been.

Others face the realization that it's time - time to stretch a bit - time to take another step, perhaps a step in a different direction, because, well, because sometimes it's time to take another step.

There are other kinds, but these are the ones I know best. 

No matter which kind one faces, the fact remains that it is hard to be brave when you're only a Very Small Animal.

My fur, fin, or feathers runner up

I found myself saying the other day, "Life: it's not for the faint of heart." After all, as I've long said, life is as harsh as it is beautiful. So it takes a lot of bravery and resilience, methinks, to just keep on swimming sometimes.

Especially if... it's time to swim out a little further, and a little further.

Especially if... things are pretty okay as they are.

Especially if... they aren't, but the risk feels too great and isn't it better, this devil you know?

Okay, okay - you twisted my arm with all this swimming talk - now I'll post a photo of some fins too, but I didn't take this one, my bro did.

(I sure love my nephew!!)

Anyhow, I've heard it said (mostly by Janis Joplin) that "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."

Week 27 of Photo 52: Freedom (or the intense, innate desire for it)

Well, I don't know much about that, but I do know a bit about bravery. Bravery is knowing you have a lot to lose - and accepting that risk in an active hope. Bravery knows the risks; bravery knows the - often intense - fear of losing it all. Bravery knows there are no guarantees. Bravery goes forward anyhow.

So my Brave and Very Small Animal, go forth - go like the wind!

Week 28 of Photo 52: Wind

After all,

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul - 

And sings the tune without the words - 

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I've heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me. 

(Emily Dickinson)

Go. It won't be goodbye. We'll still be here for you.

So go - go and enjoy the sweet fruits of your bravery.

Week 31 of Photo 52: Photographer's Choice

Know that, even if it's not always the sweet fruit you'd hoped for, as bravery certainly doesn't always yield that for which we so hope, it'll still be okay. There will - without a doubt - still be an abundance of sweetness... sometimes it's just found in the most unexpected, hidden of places.

So go, my Brave Friend, go in Grace. Knowing that, not only will you still be V, you won't go alone.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."  (Psalms 91: 1&2)