WHAT DOES BRAVERY MEAN TO YOU?

I have the privilege of starting a new role as a CDM mentor for youth working with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF).?Their goal with this program is to “strengthen America’s national character” beginning with the youth. TMF believes everyone possesses a unique combination of strengths, values, and passions. These make us who we are. To become the best versions of ourselves we must:

·??????Look Inward – Identify our personal character strengths

·??????Look Outward – Use our strengths to serve others

The second (alphabetical order) characteristic of 24 defined by TMF is “Bravery”.

Standing firm in a personal value despite opposition or lack of support.

Maintaining “wholeness of character,” or authenticity despite external pressures to speak or act in a way contrary to personal beliefs.

Bravery often takes the form of initiative and leadership in uncertain situations.

Bravery is typically understood by the image of a warrior standing strong during battle, but this is incomplete.

Bravery is best understood as a constellation of strengths and virtues that together create the capacity to take action despite uncertainty, danger, discomfort, or fear.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself or someone you may be mentoring now to awaken Bravery:

1.?????Who is an example of someone that has displayed bravery (in your life or a news story)?

2.?????Why is it sometimes difficult to stand up for something that you believe in?

3.?????Tell me about a situation you found yourself in when you needed to use bravery? Was it difficult? Rewarding?

4.?????“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear,” - Nelson Mandela. What does this quote mean to you?

An ask: as I will be presenting these same concepts to groups of teens and young adults, I would love to hear your thoughts and anecdotes to enrich the content. Feel free to comment in this post or send me a note on messenger or at Jeff@M1HL.com

Thanks and I hope you find this of value!

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