I want to tell you about Team Brave.

About the last year of my life.

About being afraid, all of my life.

About uncovering courage.

Grab a coffee or tea.  Because that is how it all began for me.

 

I want to tell you about Team Brave.

About the last year of my life.

About being afraid, all of my life.

About uncovering courage.

Grab a coffee or tea. Because that is how it all began for me.

Last May, I met with a group of girls for a creative meeting at Starbucks.  We got together to talk design for the Original Conference brochure and in the middle of sharing style we started spilling heart secrets.  We were there to talk design and it turned into a divine moment.  This group of girls, some of us friends, some co-workers, some acquaintances, two of us friends for over twenty years, but mostly sticking to the surface, managed to let our guards down and go past “I’m good, yeah things are good.  I’m fine.  How are you?”  Without any pressure or push we began to move past formalities and we found a forming freedom in sharing where were in life, where we thought we would be, and what we longed for.  No judgement, but a joining of hearts and a beginning journey.

We decided to meet again, and to each make a list of things we wanted to do (some together, some very personal).  We listed things that were just wishes in our hearts, and some things we were just too afraid to really go after or even give voice to.  We had vulnerability and accountability and through that courage came alive….what I now know to be ordinary courage – courage in sharing our whole hearts.

We moved on to meet regularly, texted at timely moments, and began calling our little group Team Brave.

I’d love for you to meet my friends and watch this video which tells the story far more beautifully than my words could ever work out.

Some things on our lists were big like running a 1/2 marathon and skydiving.  Other things were so personal to the heart that it took courage to share them amongst each other.  Many things we checked off our lists and accomplished because of accountability and encouragement.  Some wishes we are still working on.  And, others we attempted and failed.  I never made it out of the airplane on the day we went skydiving.  I was the only one that didn’t jump.  Which then led me to face my fear of failure and not measuring up.  I faced another fear this past weekend, talking in front of people – – Over, 2,500 women to be exact.   I had anticipated the moment for many months.  Nervous.  Anxious.  I would joke, again and again, about being shamed in front of thousands as the one who didn’t jump. But, in that moment, microphone in hand, I wasn’t ashamed.  I was proud of the fact that I said yes and even got in that teeny tiny plane – that was major for me.  And, the life lessons I learned were invaluable.  Two of the other girls weren’t able to run the 1/2 marathon at the last minute.  It was discouraging.  But, this is where we continued in courage….by encouraging each other and by continuing on.   There is courage in camaraderie.

While we encouraged each other on in feats like marathons, skydiving, and career goals, some of us also found ourselves in surprising life situations, throughout the year, that required bold bravery.  Bravery to speak up.  Bravery to stay silent.  And sometimes, bravery just to carry on.  We carried on, carrying and covering each other with prayer.

My dear friend, Jen penned a book, Past the Wishing, which tells the story of Team Brave as well as her own courageous journey to move #PastTheWishing and live life to the fullest.  It outlines how we went about Team Brave and how we journeyed together this past year.

I’m giving away 2 copies today (you can also order a copy here) because I so believe in this kind of friendship and living (your one and only life) life fully.

I wished for friendship like this for a long time.  I watched other faraway friends live this out and longed for it near home.  Sometimes it takes being a friend to have a friend.  For me this came, when I decided to share my heart and be vulnerable at that creative meeting and my life is changed because of it.

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It’s one year later,  and the girl that seems to be always fighting fear is saying, “I am so done with fear.”  I’m not saying I won’t ever face fear again.  Because, it seems to be the trick always tried on me.  But, I’m done not living a full life because of it.  Courage doesn’t come by staying in our comfort zones.  And, while I like to be comfortable, comfortable has never helped me accomplish anything nor made me feel alive.

Lovelies, there is a years worth of words I would like share with you.  I may have to share over several posts and virtual coffees.  I’d like to expound on fear and friendship and courage, and maybe tell you more about skydiving (you will laugh).  If you’d like to hear more?

I’d love to hear if you have been on a similar journey or if you are wishing to start one?  

PS- if you are interested in a Team Brave T-shirt or the FEARLESS one I wore on Instagram you can purchase them (and other cute ones) here.