Be “Brave”

I almost hate to do it, but I’m jumping on the “Brave” bandwagon.

But let me start with full disclosure…I have never seen the movie, and I don’t have the first clue as to the plot line. I hear good things about it, and even my daughter suggests – actually demands – that I see it as soon as possible.

While I’m sure the movie is great, it’s really the theme song that got me. “Brave” by Sara Barielles is really an amazing song. With an underlying military beat behind it, the lyrics are poignant to me right now. The song starts with:

“You can be amazing…You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug.”

I love this. As a writer (or at least a writer wannabe), I can appreciate using words as more than just a jumble of letters on a page.  s the chorus that really got me thinking.

“But I wonder what would happen if you say what you wanna say and let the words fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave.”

Simple advice, but harder to put into practice. Think about all the times we tell Little White Lies. “Yes, I think that shirt looks great on you.” “No, I don’t think you have put on weight.” “Sure, I’d love to join you for dinner.” “No, I don’t think the purple hair is too much.” Even the most honest people will drop LWLs into conversation, unless they truly have no soul and enjoying hurting people’s feelings unnecessarily.

But this line really hit me in a more profound way recently. Being brave with myself. Being honest with myself on what it is I want out of life.

I think too often, we take the easier path, or even the smart path, rather than being brave and taking the road less traveled, the one that is rocky and slippery and frankly, dangerous.

I am dealing with a question right now. I won’t bore you with the details, but I have two choices. Take the safe path, the rational one in every sense of the word. This is the path that a grown up with responsibilities would take, especially an adult with other people depending on them. And adult who has to think not only in the moment but toward the future. But I fear this path could make me unhappy in the end.

The other path is pretty irrational. It is fraught with downside and could possibly prove too hard to survive. Okay, so maybe that is a bit dramatic but it is a choice that has inherent risks that could be insurmountable. Or simply prove too hard for me to overcome.

Unfortunately, I’m no closer to a decision, but I thank Sara Barielles for making me think about it and realize either path will require me to be brave and let the words fall out.

Maybe I need to see the movie. Maybe the plot will reveals the right choice to me. After all, wouldn’t be the first time animation has saved the day!