Facades are so exhausting. Wouldn’t you agree?
Trying to be someone/something we’re not ranks right up there with getting a root canal. It’s time-consuming, costly, and often, rather uncomfortable.
Why, then, do we do it?
Are we afraid that if people see the “real us” they’ll not like what they see? Are we afraid of being perceived as ignorant? Are we afraid?
I think as we mature (sounds better than “age”), we realize what a waste of mental energy wearing facades can be. God understands that we aren’t Suzie Sunshine or Dynamic Dan all the time. Life happens. Pain comes. Fear camps out. It’s all part of the seasoning process.
I’m one who tends to see the glass half-full. Seeing the positive, despite a dark situation, and staying upbeat when circumstances are dire are ways I cope when the heat is on.
Is it easy? Sometimes. Sometimes not.
Is it stick-my-head-in-the-sand mentality? Uh uh. I realize the stakes, but I often refuse to accept defeat.
Is it fake? Nope. It’s just the kind of person I am. Pollyanna and all. But I refuse to wear a façade.
Folks who know me well are aware of the following:
- I’m not perfect. I don’t pretend to be.
- Please don’t ask my opinion if you truly don’t want to know. I will tell you. Honestly, but lovingly.
- I understand candid, frank, and forthright. Rudeness, mean-spiritedness, and hard-heartedness, not so much.
- I love people. I like encouraging them.
- I like to smile and it gives me joy when one is returned.
- Courage is a trait I strive for.
Now, what about this thing called courage? Can anyone have it?
Because of Christ, I believe courage is something that’s available to all of us. (If you’d like to find out how to have a relationship with Him, please click on this link.)
Courage is about doing the “right thing.”
Courage is:
- Bravery under fire.
- Tackling the difficult.
- Owning our feelings.
- Admitting our faults.
- Dropping facades.
- Choosing authentic.
- Facing our fears.
- Dancing in the sunlight.
- Rejoicing despite the odds.
- Exhibiting faith.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Well, it’s easy for her. She’s never faced the same hardships I have,” you’re partly right. My hardships are indeed different, but none of them have ever been easy, kind, or fair.
And I’ve adopted courage so I can persevere.
You can, too!
******
What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
Reminder:
Leave a comment and SUBSCRIBE to my blog for a chance to win July’s blog drawing! Pop over and scroll down to the bottom of the page for a complete list of RULES.
Photo Credit: Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Blessings Always,
Comments 10
That’s a hard question, Cynthia – but a good one. I don’t think I can answer it. Over my life, I’ve done several courageous things, and I’ve been in a few situations where it took mountains of courage to get through it. Each one seems to be equal to me – maybe not to others – but to me – it was my courage that I had to muster. I don’t think I could measure the levels.
I don’t wear a facade – what you see is what you get. I gave that up when I was much younger. You’re right, it is an exhausting state to put yourself in.
Great post, Cynthia. You’ve left me thinking on so many levels.
Author
Loree, I think each of our situations is unique. There are probably three or four specific ones of my own that stand out in my mind. We can surprise ourselves at just how courageous we are when we reflect upon our lives. I believe that courage comes from God.
You strike me as being a very courageous, unpretentious person. I’m so humbled by your friendship.
I love your website. I read your posts often and they realy get me thinking which I cant say any other websites realy do. Thank you for all you post. Everything is so encouraging.
I know that you are very courageous, just from what you post.
Author
Nicole, thanks so much for your kind words! I believe we all can be courageous through Christ.
I wrote and delivered a devotion in front of my writers group. Seems like a silly thing, but it was seriously scary!
Author
Patti, I would have loved to have heard your devotion! I know it was wonderful and God-inspired. And kudos for being courageous!
This is going to be “heavy” and I hate to bring things down, but it really is the most courageous thing I can think of…just going to school from one day to the next. When I was in 10th grade, there was a rash of suicides among students in my high school. It got to the point that many of us were afraid to go to school the next day because we were afraid to discover which of our friends would be missing next. National tabliod media descended on our smalltown school and we didn’t want to face them either.
So, for a while, it took courage to go to school. Then I was enrolled in summer arts progams elsewhere in the state, and it took courage to go out in public. When people found out where I was from (which always came up in introductions), it carried a stigma. People either avoided me or trated me with kid gloves. Now I can tell people where I went to school and no one remembers those events in connection with that town.
I don’t know why I shared that, except that I’ve been taking Jeff Goins’ blog course and a recent assignment involved experiment with writing that’s more edgy – so I’ve been pondering parts of life that have been far from “neat.”
Author
Tonya, I’m so sorry you endured such tough times during high school. It took courage to face those things and courage to share with us just now.
Praising God for the new season you’re in and for the march forward in your writing journey!
I love that you’re so real!
Courage. Lately courage for me is just putting one step forward and then another step and another as I continue my path to publication. 🙂
Author
Jill, I’m definitely with you on that one. And you’re one of the most courageous people I know. Congratulations, Fraiser finalist! 🙂