I must admit that it has been quite some time since I posted here in the Hive Open Mic community. It seems that time is flying quicker than it ever has before and there's always something that needs to be done.

This week’s theme is “The Crazy Week” – and God, can I relate! It has been a very busy week for me and I have felt that my schedule has been full. At times, nothing seems more absurd than when there is much on the plate and little time to accomplish it all.

For my contribution this week, I have chosen to sing “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. it is the song about standing for what you want to say even if the process is terrifying. As Sara sings, there can be so many reasons we hold back, stay quiet, or don’t take action – fear of rocking the boat, wanting people to like us, not feeling sure enough of ourselves. But life comes to us as an assignment, an initiation, a call to be strong and be brave.

While listening to the lyrics, I could recall moments in my life where I wished I had been more courageous or a stand. There are times I allowed the concern on how other people will react to be a reason for me to take too long. But very often it turns out that we were wrong and when we were telling the truth, or being ourselves, it is not as terrible as we thought. Most people we care about aren't as judgmental as we think they are. But there's a lot of freedom in not having such fears or inhibitions.

The chorus sung by Sara says “I want to see you be brave. ” I believe we all want to be brave for our selves and the people we love. Be brave and confident and committed to what is required and want it with all your heart. But it can be a process to get there.

It helps me reflect on how many times life expects us to be strong - to stand up for something, to be artists and present ourselves or our art, to be writers and write from the heart rather than from our heads. It showed that in all aspects of everyday life, people can choose courage over comfort or mere contentment.

My prayer for all of us is to be less fearful in each day and week and season and year. Broadcast who you are and what you want, the very essence of your being. When a person decides to be brave, it can be intimidating at first, but once they do it, they will never feel sorry for themselves.

Full Lyrics Here

You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle 'neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave