Brave Heart
What does having a brave heart mean?
To me, a brave heart includes the following:
Being “ALL IN”: That I show up fully present in the relationship, aware of my own impact. It also means that I do everything within my control to have a healthy, thriving relationship. That I’m willing to seek help from professionals when interactions become challenging, or when the relationship is stuck.
Tolerating the pain that accompanies relationships: I recognize that I will activate certain parts of my partner, as he will activate parts of me. This occasional discomfort and even pain in deep human interactions is an opportunity to grow myself and the relationship, an opportunity to further my own healing.
Having difficult conversations, despite feeling uncomfortable.
Courageously speaking up when It seems that we cannot meet each other in the ways we need to be loved, even when that means that the relationship will dissolve.
Acknowledging that sometimes love is not enough. I can love someone deeply, and that may not mean that it is the “right” relationship for me. If we cannot meet each other in fundamental aspects of life, then it just may not work out.
Helpful mental fitness tip when deciding if you need to leave the relationship or not: Get yourself present to your body sensations, some mindful breaths, and notice your physical sensations. Then ask yourself from this calm clear place: Do I want to stay in the relationship and work on it? Or is my partner not ready to do the growth they need to do that's required of the relationship. In which case, you can decide if you want to love them and leave the relationship with grace.
Lovingly and spaciously letting go of my attachment to the person and to the relationship when necessary.
Recovering to myself, showing self-compassion as I lick my wounds after a break-up.
Brave hearts don’t give up on love. They get clearer on what they want and need in a partnership.
They ask themselves: Who do I need to be in order to create the kind of relationship that I want?
Finally, having a brave heart means never giving up on love and on finding a healthy partner!
What does having a brave heart mean to you?
