Sharing the Bravery

I didn't really know what to expect when I published my posts on my 40th birthday.  It was a pleasant surprise to hear positive comments from many friends through texts, e-mails, and in person.  It seems that many people have had to figure out how to "be brave" at some point in time and some, like me, are just now getting to that point in their lives too.  I've had friends recommend books (and even send them) that helped them on their journey to bravery or whatever they choose to call it.  I'm excited to read them and use them in my journey.

Some people have said they are excited to see what brave things I'm going to do.  I have to say those comments made me feel a bit of pressure.  I will not be doing any kind of Evel Knievel style jumps, or climbing Everest any time soon.  I think that being brave has a different meaning for every person.  For me, one of the main things is just learning to be who I am and be unafraid to tell people honestly how I feel and doing things I've wanted to do but for some reason keep putting on a back burner.

For instance, today I was chatting with my book club friends and somehow the conversation veered away from the book (surprise) and onto many different topics including local rodeos.  The Canyon County girls were talking about the Caldwell Night Rodeo and someone inquired whether I was a "Civie or a Rowdy." The answer is...I am a "Civie".  For folks who have never been, there are bleachers on either side of the arena. The longtime announcer Randy Corley calls the side that the sun goes down on first the "Civies side" or the one where the civilized people sit.  The other side is nearest the beer garden and the sun is in your eyes for quite some time...this is the "Rowdies side" where all of the beer drinkers sit.  All through the years when I was growing up, I sat with my Dad on the "Civies" side in our vintage, red stadium seats. When I was in college and in my early 20's I tried to be a "Rowdy".  It seemed like the cool thing to do.  All the young people were over there being loud and standing on the corner by the beer garden meeting friends.  I did it, but the whole time I was longing for those red stadium chairs and some folks who wanted to make score notes on their day sheet.  Now, I'm 40, I don't want the sun in my eyes and I know that you can drink beer and be a "Civie."  There you have it folks, telling the truth about important life stuff.

One of the best things about starting a blog is not only do people learn things about me they may have never known, but I have learned so much about my friends that I didn't know before in just one short week.  Many people have shared their stories of being brave. I have amazing friends who have left high paying but overly demanding jobs to start their own businesses and see their families more, friends who have left relationships that weren't happy and are learning to live on their own once again, and friends who raised children alone and were guided mostly by their faith in God.  Cheers, good thoughts and prayers to all of you who are being brave and thanks for sharing!