Bravery — the courage to change

Real talk about my fear of changing

“I’m afraid I’ll have to change once I truly see them and understand their perspective.”

The others at the table looked a bit stunned at my honesty. That real talk even jolted me a bit.

I wasn’t suggesting that empathizing with someone meant I’d have to agree with them. That actually might be easier.

Instead, I was talking about changing my attitude toward that person. Changing my tone and phrasing to be without judgment. Changing my perception of their value from inferior to inherently valuable as a human being. Changing from “I’m right, end of story” to a thoughtful and generous discussion.

Change is hard work. Sometimes it’s messy.

Bravery is the courage to truly see someone and the willingness to change my mind about their perspective, situation, and value.

Bravery is changing my mind regardless if or when the other person changes. It’s being gutsy and going first.

Side note: When we discredit a person, it allows us to rationalize treating them as less than or inferior. But when we recognize their beliefs and actions as rational — because they are given their story, their fears, their worldview — we see their value as a human being.