Let's be Real...

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There's something sexy about being brave; it's admirable to transcend your fear, especially for the"greater good."  And while most people I know would agree that the definition of bravery extends beyond those courageous men and women who have risked their physical lives--and carry the same gratitude and respect for them--Today, I'm talking about everyday bravery.

I am consistently awed by the everyday bravery practiced by my clients.  I see people choose the vulnerable risk of showing the world who they REALLY are, what the REALLY fear, what they REALLY think, where they REALLY struggle, day after day after day.

And sometimes it's heartbreaking, and awful and awkward.  But it's ALWAYS beautiful.  It always takes my breath away.  It's always a tremendous act of courage that leaves me with goosebumps and extreme gratitude for what I do.

I recently found comfort in rediscovering the below passage.  And I'm posting it for two reasons: as a dedication to "everyday bravery" and a beautiful reminder of the "worth it-ness" of authenticity, self-compassion and courage.

So, here's to my clients.  Here's to experiencing all of those "uncomfortable things" for the risk of allowing their authentic, true, beautiful and messy parts to be seen.  Here's to everyday bravery, authenticity, ugliness, true beauty and NEVER having to be "carefully kept:"

                  “Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse.  “It’s a thing that happens to you.  When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real.” 

                  “Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

                  “Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful.  “When you are Real, you don’t mind being hurt.”

                  “Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

                  “It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become.  It takes a long time.  That’s why it doesn’t often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.  Generally by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out, and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.  But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real, you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” 

                  “I suppose you are Real?” said the Rabbit.  And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive.  But the Skin Horse only smiled. 

                  “The Boy’s Uncle made me Real,” he said.  “That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can’t become unreal again.  It lasts for always.”

                  “The Rabbit sighed.  He thought it would be a long time before this magic called Real happened to him.  He longed to become Real, to know what it felt like; and yet the idea of growing shabby and losing his eyes and whiskers was rather sad.  He wished that he could become it without these uncomfortable things happening to him.

-The Velveteen Rabbit

Margery Williams

**the above picture was taken in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa during a family trip in Nov.**