Dare to Be: Brave, plus a question {Day 12}

This post is part of a 31 Day series on the topic Dare to Be and linking up with about 1500 other bloggers on hundreds of topics. Come on over to The Nester to check that out!

We were born to be brave.

~Brene Brown

The two blondes in spandex are staring at my husband and me from behind the desk. No hi's or welcomes. Just blank stares.  I've squeezed into my yoga pants and an large ISU t-shirt, but I still feel out of place and that all eyes are on me.

My son and daughter in law have lovingly penciled out a workout for us. It's down on the paper he clutches in his hand as we enter the center. And, I've been saying that this is what I need for months now.

As usual, I feel like the opinions and judgements are flowing like ESPN between the two blondes. "What are they doing here? They look stupid!" (they, of course, may not be thinking either of these things, but these are my tapes playing.)

This isn't my first step into a fitness facility, but it's been about five years since I quit my last one. My six foot one son who's been at this fitness thing since college has finally gotten his parents to give this a shot, so he's standing between us at the counter.

"I'm here to sign these two up for a week trial." he says to the blondes.

The blondes blink back, mumble something between them. One of them finally reaches for the forms.This is so awkward. I'm ready to bolt back to my mini van and scratch the whole thing.

I was afraid this would happen because it's happened before. This is one of my things. One of the things I hate. Walking into unknown situations. Situations where I feel ill-equipped, or like a misfit. 

But, I say to myself I can do this.

Before us, the room is fairly empty (thank you, God) except for the tattooed body builder who looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger. After that I see a senior citizen gentleman doing crunches on the floor, and an overweight lady with a red t-shirt on the treadmill.

Thank you, God, again. Thank you for normal people like me.

You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort but you can't have both.

~Brene Brown

    It took being brave for me to step into this fitness center after being away for five years.

It took bravery for my husband to step into this having never done anything like this before in his entire life. 

According to Brene Brown, we dared greatly by signing up for a week trial at a fitness center.


Maybe daring greatly looks different for you. Maybe daring greatly is signing up for classes at a university. Maybe it is trying out a new recipe on your in laws. Maybe it is to climb Mount Everest.

The point is, you were made to be brave. And so was I. 


Today, I'm asking you if you'd like to share one thing you've done in the last week that you would consider being brave, or daring greatly.

Mine was stepping foot into an intimidating fitness center. Tell me yours in the comments. I'd love to hear how you are daring yourself to be brave!

*quotations are from the book Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

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