Be Strong. Be Brave. Be a Badass.

Sep 19

Sometimes in life we have to ‘fake it til we make it’ or rather trick our minds and bodies into believing that we are stronger and braver than we feel! That’s exactly what happened to me on numerous occasions, and most recently when I was told I had swelling in my brain and a brain tumor that would require an urgent operation to remove.

While your challenge may not be as dramatic as a brain tumor, trust me when I say challenges in life are inevitable. But I want to encourage you today with a phrase that I clung on to during my journey – be strong, be brave, be a badass. And you, my friend, are a badass! You just need to believe you are, and you don’t need a life altering diagnosis to embrace it!

Be Strong

We all face obstacles in our life. Let’s face it - it’s the low points or valleys where we realize we have to muster up ‘strength’ for the climb ahead. But if you’re reading this, then so far in life you have a 100% success record of overcoming every challenge that has come your way. It feels impossible at first, but somehow you find the strength to get through it. So when it’s time to ‘be strong’ where does that physical, mental, and spiritual strength come from?

Physical - there is a complete adrenaline rush or push when we need to be strong. Sometimes we actually do not know our own strength until we are called to action. And be gentle with yourself because some days you are really physically strong and other days you just aren’t as strong. This doesn’t mean you lost your strength, it just means the energy in your body is focused on something else or perhaps you are mentally thinking of some other challenge or maybe you didn’t eat enough for the physical exertion you are facing. (I do that more often than I care to admit).

Spiritual - As a Christian, I have a relationship with God. You may have a relationship with God or some higher power. Ask yourself - to whom do you look when you need guidance or are afraid? Now like physical strength, some days my spiritual strength is stronger than others. It just depends on where my head and heart are in the moment - and if I am distracted or tuned in. When I was facing surgery I knew I had to be strong - most especially spiritually. The road ahead was uncertain and my controlling self had to give over to the power of prayer and positivity and trust that the Lord had a plan for me. And a plan HE orchestrates daily if I allow my spiritual realm to trust, grow, and listen.

Mental - Recovering from surgery I have spent a lot of time down rabbit holes, most especially reading. I am discovering that mind over matter really is a thing, the difference between the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere of the brain, and how all things are energy. I digress. I can say this - no matter what you are facing, to be mentally strong might be the hardest, but likely the most important. You have to believe that you are strong enough and powerful enough and keep trudging ahead. And if you struggle with this - ask yourself what choice do you have?

Be Brave

The technical definition of brave, at least according to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary is “the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty.”

From experience, I don’t think we ever measure our bravery or realize how brave and strong we are until we have to face an insurmountable challenge. When your back is up against the wall you have two choices: be positive and face your fear or slink back into a negative headspace.

Believe me, after my diagnosis there were plenty of times that I wanted to slide back into bed and pretend I was dreaming. I know without a doubt though that all the challenges before that moment prepared me to experience what I did, to grow closer to God and to muster the strength and courage and bravery I needed. And when I wasn’t sure I could, I prayed, gave my fears to the Lord, and also flipped through pictures and inspiring quotes to remind me to be brave.

My favorite quote that I clung to is, “When life gives you something that makes you feel afraid, that’s when life gives you a chance to be brave.” - Lupytha Harmin.

Be a Badass

Do you ever tell close friends or family that they inspire you? That they are a ‘badass’ in your eyes? I challenge you to try this weekly.

I garnered such inspiration from those in my tribe who told me daily I was a badass. You see, if you hear something enough, you really start to believe it. If no one in your circle is telling you, then tell yourself if you have to! And for good measure, I’ll tell you - you are unique, strong, brave and a badass!! (as a side note - if you don’t have a circle of women who lifts you up - I invite you to come be a part of Women Empowering Women, my free women empowerment and networking group.)

When I was in the unknown phase of my brain tumor diagnosis, I loved this phrase because to me “being a badass” encapsulated all the strength and bravery into one. It was a reminder to me that ‘you can do hard things’! My message to myself was you are an inspiration to yourself and likely to others you do not even know are watching.