Brave.

Superwoman most definitely is brave. She doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t question her moves. She just does them. She doesn’t get butterflies. She doesn’t doubt. She thinks, sees opportunities to conquer the obstacles in front of her and…BAM all is right in the world again.

My daughter told me about an assignment where she wrote about the most influential woman in her life. Granted she’s 7, so there’s that. She said, “Mama, you know who I wrote about?” I replied, “No ma’am, who?” She smiled and said, “YOU! I will let you read about it when I bring my assignment home.”

My heart was filled with joy. This girl, who I was terrified to have by the way, sees me in a way I don’t see myself. She brought her assignment home and the first adjective she used to describe me was Brave. Tears still sting my eyes as I think about this small moment. I had to look up the true definition of brave just to take in the weight of her thought about me.

The definition of Brave is ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

That’s how she sees me. Ready to face and endure danger or pain. She sees courage. What do I see, I see someone who is weak. Scared at times. Worrisome that I’m not doing enough. Not being enough. I see a person who is so hard on herself sometimes it feels debilitating.

What she sees verses what I feel makes me pause. To remember to get wrapped up in feelings can be so dangerous. It can limit the truth of what reality is. Feelings should be embraced with a healthy dose of reality attached to keep those feelings in check. I can feel that I’m not enough but is that feeling actually truth? Of course it’s not. In reality I am enough. In reality when I reflect on circumstances, I have been brave and I AM brave.

I show courage when I could fold. I keep going and don’t choose to throw in the towel. I find a way to solve a problem in response to succumbing to it. I find a way. To find a way is brave.

It took my 7 year old to teach me to see myself. Oh to listen to those who truly see you for who you really are…Superwoman can see me.