Bravery: Just Keep Swimming

I’ve implemented the personal growth project, Word of the Year, into my life for over a decade now. It has changed me. Stride was my 2021 Word of the Year. It led me to begin writing and posting here again. I don’t strive; I take simple, consistent strides.

Bravery is my 2022 Word of the Year. These are the initial thoughts I had as I began 2022 (I expect to have a fuller picture in December).

Bravery is Moving Scared

2020 was a hard year.

During the stay at home, eighteen months ago, I read a lot. I watched movies. I walked and listened to podcasts. In the midst of fear, I kept hearing the same message. I heard it the sacred. I saw it in the secular. 

“Keep moving.”

Specifically, I read it in a book by Rebekah Lyons telling her story of overcoming a crippling anxiety. She wrote, “Bravery is moving scared.” I heard it in a podcast episode that I can’t find today. The lesson I learned; when stuck, take the next right step. I saw it in a movie. As a child, the hero of Finding Dory learns to “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.” When Dory is lost, just keep swimming.

2021 has been a year of remembering those lessons. 

I don’t have to feel brave; you don’t either. We need to keep moving (even if we’re scared). I don’t have to know final outcome; you don’t either. We just need to take the next right step. I don’t have to know my end destination; you don’t either. We just need to keep swimming.

At some point, you were scared in 2021 (and maybe even more so now). I bet you don’t know how a situation in your life will turn out. You may not know your destination. 

Keep moving.

Take the next right step.

Keep swimming.

I’ve found the hardest times in life lead to the greatest growth, so in 2022 be brave.

Bravery is moving scared.