Someone important to me a long time ago said “write what you know.” This is applicable to articles, but not all of these will be articles. Some will just be about what I am learning. So I guess the proper rendition of that statement is “write what you know and what you think about.” My only hope and desire is that you can relate on some level, as the heaviness of the human condition becomes slightly lighter when we feel we are not alone. Unlike most people’s social media accounts these days, I do not seek to inspire you, only connect with you.
This month’s topic is bravery (what an amazing hook to reel you in, I know). To be honest, writing again after a few year hiatus scares the shit out of me. To be even more honest, sending this out to 500+ people from all seasons of my life is even more terrifying, which is why I write these and send them to Court to format and press the “send” button. Sometimes bravery is doing something yourself, and sometimes bravery is paying someone else to do it. Either way, it gets done and I get my thoughts out there, which is the end goal.
Every morning at 6 am, I run with my good friend Rea. I love Rea because she is bubbly without being annoying. She’s positive without having some cliche optimistic blanket statement to say when my life is going down the toilet. I can be painfully honest with her and she judges nothing, but also stands firm in truth. We run every morning, people, so if there’s anyone who has a pulse on my life at any given time, it’s her, and vice versa. Letting people into your mess is hard, and I haven’t mastered this by any means. However, Rea is so full of grace; it’s easy to talk about anything with her.
Lately, we’ve talked about being brave and what that looks like versus what we feel it should look like. Self-loathing is the root of complacency, I believe. I had a business coach who always said “correct, don’t condemn,” and this concept has been instrumental in my ability to put one foot in front of the other and continue to take risks. Bravery is making mistakes and taking responsibility, then moving on with different behavior.
We always picture bravery as this huge, monumental step-out-and-off the ledge type success, and sometimes it is. More often than not though, it’s less public and drastic and very seasonal. There are some seasons of my life where just leaving the house is brave, and that’s okay.
I’ve never been a naturally content person. I was always looking toward the next step, obsessing about all of the potential outcomes, and devastated when the outcome I wanted didn’t become reality. It made me very competitive, high strung, and heartbroken. The first time I really think I ever experienced true happiness is when I let myself be where I’m at; and that mentality is not a destination, it’s a discipline. Bravery, too, is a discipline. Constantly saying “I don’t feel like doing this or this is out of my comfort zone, but I’m going to do it because it will be good for me or help someone else” is important. The world needs people like that.
One note about bravery is that sometimes it looks like letting go instead of clenching the situation with a white-knuckle grip. But how do we let go of, without detaching from, a situation? Detachment breeds discontentment, whereas ‘letting go’ suggests release and upward or outward momentum. Often, letting go is a discipline as well, which is why I associate it with bravery. Sometimes we have to let go over and over again until time passes and healing occurs, and that, also, is okay.
Below are some market statistics, which are always useful. I also hope that you do the thing. Let go of other things. And ‘correct, not condemn’ always.
Blessings,
Syd Phil
Sales Update – Thru May 2018
