Most of the time the term bravery is synonymous with heroism, a belief that brave people do heroic things that are outrageously uncommon in the face of danger. Certainly, that’s brave, but it isn’t the only form of bravery. In fact, that level of bravery isn’t very common. The most common form of bravery is quiet and happens behind the scenes.
There are a lot of myths about bravery. Busting them helps everyday people see that they are brave and can be bulletproof against adversity when difficulties arise. Three myths about bravery that need to be busted wide open are:
- Brave people are unicorns
- Bravery means having no fear
- There’s a limit to what people can bear
These myths are some of the first to pop up when people face difficult times. Busting these myths will help you activate your bravery and avoid struggling.
1. Brave people are unicorns – Unicorns are rare – ok, they are mythical and not real, but they seem to be a very common example of unattainable perfection in today’s pop culture. When it comes to bravery, people tend to think that only heroic types with unicorn blood show up powerfully. This isn’t the case. Anyone can be brave and create a bulletproof mindset during difficult times. Everyday people with everyday mindsets doing everyday things face difficulties with bravery. You don’t need a special personality, level of education, or status to be brave.
2. Bravery means having no fear – This is the biggest of the myths. Bravery isn’t the absence of fear, it’s acting in spite of or independent of fear. Some fears are healthy and help keep us safe while others sabotage and prevent us from being brave. Discerning the difference and acting accordingly makes the difference. Forget the notion that bravery means you’ve banned fear from your experience and get used to experiencing fear while taking brave actions.
3. There’s a limit to what people can bear – People generally fear the unknown. The idea of what could happen usually causes panic and fear. The worry that there is a limit to what someone can bear can overtake our minds. Surely, there’s a limit to the extent of discomfort someone chooses to endure, but we are capable of managing much more than we ever thought. Going through extremely difficult times builds stamina and endurance for challenges that you may not anticipate being able to manage but you can. Most people don’t know quite how much they are capable of until they are met with the challenge.
There are a lot of myths about bravery, most of which can easily be busted. You can be brave even when you don’t feel qualified. You can be brave while you are afraid and worried about what’s around the corner, and you can manage more than you realize. You have what it takes to be brave no matter who you are.
