Happy Monday!! I just love the beginning of new day- of a new week … Brand new mercies, brand new opportunities – a chance to start over or build upon the the days, weeks ,months, years before. A chance to say Yes to God and discover what your Everyday Brave might be today! 
I am So So glad you are here! If this is your first time joining us, WELCOME to our #LiveBrave15 Series. You can read more about the Why here.
Today I am especially excited to introduce a dear friend — someone that I have walked with for years & have had the privilege of watching her journey firsthand. A person that is discovering a little more each day who she is, what she loves & what Living Brave looks like for her. Meet Katie! I pray that you are encouraged by her story & realize that we are not all that different!
Bio: Hi! I’m Katie Cannon! Everyone calls me by my first & last name- even my mom. I love long chats over coffee & bacon- making brunch my absolute favorite meal of the day. God radically intercepted my life when I was a student at Arizona State and I really believe college kids can change the world.
Before Candi ever said anything about #LiveBrave15, I knew this was going to be a year that pushed my comfort zone and took me to greater depths in relationship. Over the last few years, I’ve seen God move in powerful ways- salvations, healings, unlikely people curious about Jesus. It’s been SO FUN! The more healing and freedom I found, the more I was able to give that to other people (with out even trying!!). This year, I’m sensing a shift from mountain top back down to the valley. It’s time to build on that healing foundation and go a step deeper- to stare fear in the face!
As I was praying over my 2015, I felt like God said, “It’s time for you to believe you are part of the party- not on the outside of it.” Oh how I love that God speaks our language. There’s always been a small part of me that believes I don’t belong. Living Brave means that I want to fully engage in relationships around me without fear of rejection. It means pushing myself to pursue new levels of vulnerability. It means finding healthy ways to express my needs. It’s easier than you’d think for the loud person to hide in the crowd.
Living Brave also means giving myself permission to feel my emotions, to grieve. It means letting go of the idea that I can push through on my own. I have no plans to wallow or sulk- but you have to feel to heal, right? It means letting people meet me in the mess.
I’m a little scared, a little weary to start this journey but I’m choosing to believe that the most brave thing I can do is to keep going. If I take it one step at a time, I have to get somewhere. I hope you’ll go there too.
Week #2 Challenge
Ok, grab your journal (or if you don’t have one, a great opportunity to go purchase a cute one from Target! )
If you have not already – Identify at least one thing that you desire to Live Brave in (don’t over think this – don’t minimize it. this does not have to be the jump out of a plane type of brave. these are small steps that will eventually turn into miles!)
The more specific you can be the better.
Write it down. Share it with at least one safe person.
And this week answer this question.
What support do I need from
others _______________________________
God ________________________________
myself? _____________________________
We were not meant to do life on our own. Because we are humans & not robots- we have needs – this is not a bad thing!! Identifying what we need is the first step. Take some time today (even 10 minutes!!) to make space for yourself. To sit in silence – to pray – to listen. It is not selfish for you to take time to yourself & to attend to your heart, to listen to what you need in order to be healthy – in order to Live Brave.
Perhaps you need encouragement from someone … Ask them! Trust me, I know this is not easy. I used to feel like if I told someone that I needed encouragement then if they encouraged me it was not valid because I had to ask. This is NOT true. As much as the people in your life love you and are for you – they do not own crystal balls … If we are waiting for others to do what we are hoping they might do, we could be waiting a long time & in the process become hurt, discouraged or feel alone.
Be Brave today & begin identifying some needs!
Have a fabulous week!!
We would love to to hear from you. Make sure to follow us on Instagram & hashtag to #livebrave15 – capture a moment – post a pic of your cute face, introduce yourself & share with us your Live Brave (maybe just doing that would be part of your Everyday Brave ) – We want to celebrate with you- so post away my friend!
What in Katie’s story were you able to identify with?