BRAVE & VULNERABLE
Mavis Elias (B Eng, MA Glob)
I B.Eng | MA Glob | Trade I Marketing | Business Strategy
I often find myself in a season where a word will stick out like a sore thumb. I will hear the word, read the word and live the word.
My word has been BRAVE.
In a time that has challenged the core of who we are, being brave has not been easy. There was a time braving a morning run didn't require bravery, but as of late - it takes a lot to be able to harness the manpower required to brave the cold and make the run. The same can be said about showing up for yourself, where braving an application was at some point second nature, as of late - there is a deep sense of bravery required to get typing name, followed by surname.
As I often do, when I find that the strength needed to get up and show up and brave the moments in which inner strength is not enough - I often reach out to familiar spaces and places. These spaces are friends, family and books. However, this time around, my closest companion, books, has been my greatest love story.
Since the start of the year, I have read three books. Without realising that something in me was drawing me to books about bravery.
These are the three books:
The girl with the louding voice by Abi Dare (link)
My greatest admiration is passion. Nothing gets me to tears faster than seeing someone live. a life of pure passion. Seeing people love what they do and do what they love, is my favourite past time. When I meet little Adunni in the pages of the girl with the louding voice, I instantly felt true admiration for this beautiful human who lives between the pages written by Nigerian author Abi Dare. She is born a feminist even when she couldn't label her resentment for the patriarchal system, because all she knew is that she does not aspire to marriage and wants to be educated so as to pass the knowledge back to her community. Her determination is almost tangible through the pages. She suffers great abuse at the hands of her keepers, yet the winds of change blow in her favor upon the end.
When I read stories of bravery, I am left wanting to brave my own life. To step beyond the confines of fear and do what my heart truly calls me to do. Starting with putting words to pages, finding the voice that wants to be heard and believing that bravery is mine to have.
The gifts of imperfection by Brenè Brown (link)
Sometimes, the best way to grow is through discomfort. The gifts of imperfection is a book about braving the shackles that confine us to our egos. Constantly looking to be seen as perfect and cowering from any onlookers. Yet, the greatest power is in shedding light on some of our internal darkness, because true liberty is found in sharing and being vulnerable. I was not aware that I struggled with vulnerability, I assumed that because I was always so quick to share my story that I knew vulnerability. No, I did not. I still struggle to reach out when I am most in need, because I prefer to tell the story afterwards and not ask for help within the battlefield. I still want to seem like a superhuman to my siblings and would rarely let them see me down and battered, as I am always ready to share wisdom.
However, I soon learned that true vulnerability is braving the voice that wants to silence us and speaking when we are most in need. Shame cannot thrive when it is exposed, therefore speak - even when afraid.
Becoming Him by Landa Mabenge (link)
Life has a mysterious way of showing us our truest self. As though, no matter how far you run, you will always be left wandering back to yourself. It is the true essence of healing, yet healing is not always the easiest thing to do. I am always found in awe of those who will stand still through their pain, accept the spaces they need to heal and face their inner child. Healing is for the brave, because it can be a daunting road that is often not travelled. Yet, the liberty that lies on the other side of healing, is worth the journey.
Landa writes his story with sheer bravery. Sharing with an authenticity that brings me to tears three times. Becoming Him is a story of a man who had life hand him bitter cards, yet remaining victorious despite the inadequacies. I rarely read a book in just one day, but on the odd chance that I do, it is a very good book. I read his story from morning to dusk, and when I was done - I thought to myself - everyone needs to read this book.
Our bravery does not come easy. However, the more you practice being brave, the easier it becomes. Although bravery looks different to each of us, it reminds us that it is a subjective journey. Should your bravery be about bracing the 15 minutes workout, writing the proposal, telling your truth or facing your past - it is still brave.
My only wish for you - is that you allow yourself to be brave more often.