[RunningEagleRuns]

You have to be brave to keep going in this world. Agree?

[faerie_moon_x]

Yes, you do. But, I think most people are a lot more brave than they give themselves credit for. I also think people are much stronger (emotionally speaking) than they give themselves credit for, even when they don't feel it.

[brackenbeard]

yes you do have to be brave, and yes we don't give ourselves credit for it, but isnt that typical of someone with a mental illness not to be proud and actually feel good about how they've been brave. we've been through hell and we're still alive. hs. now if we don't believe we are brave around other people that's another story. we may try to be brave, but perhaps we fall short often. inside we are brave. outside of us maybe we don't project it. i feel like i'm working at getting braver... working at it...

[faerie_moon_x]

Just working at it shows you are brave.

[lil-angel-wings]

to walk through the shadow of death and to fear no evil is more then bravery it is pure faith. It is not whether you have fear, but what you do with it. I have fear...daily...i pretend it isn't there...I pretend I dont see and hear and know the things going on around me...but the fear grows...I become very much aware of how weak and powerless I am...I become more and more aware of how evil my heart is... my thoughts are not the thoughts I should have...If your right hand causes you to sin cut it off... it is not my hand it is my brain... but i have not yet figured out how to cut it off and stop the wickedness in me...I long to be right with the creator...to live a righteous life, but I am full of fear which causes me to fill my heart with hatered for everyone around me... I have no trust in anyone...I cry out in the wilderness for Him to redeem me...He brings relief and I turn in fear because I feel so inadiquit to except what he has to offer me...rather then to except it I run away in fear...I am in agony...the pain grows deeper each day, but I do not open my mouth to speak a word of it...I can not let them know my fears or they will come and consume me...I must be brave... I must stand strong in the storm of this life so that I can see His face in the next...I will hide His words in my heart...He will shelter me and hide me in the inner most sacred part of His tent... He will hide me in His Pinions...I will lay my head upon the rock and find rest.

[costello]

I doubt your heart is evil, angel. I'm always happy to see your posts. Your words at least are calm, kind, and wise.

We all know our own hearts and minds better than we do anyone else's. We're all flawed human beings. So it's easy to believe that our flaws - which we can see - are so much worse than everyone else's flaws - which are largely hidden from us.

[keepingalice]

Be courageous and of good cheer. Those words have held me up in earlier days. Reading this post reminded me of them. I want to eat them but either my anxiety or my depression or both make me vomit them back up. I cannot swallow them because I do not feel worthy of love. I feel so ugly right now. And when I hear others tell me the truth, of how I am, I fight against them and say "But that's not me. That's the illness rearing its ugly head and taking me over like a fog that lays like a heavy blanket." I get so confused and others are confused by me. I want to be well-liked by others. I want to be loved.

I don't feel brave, but I suppose it's something if you continue putting one foot in front of the other every day when you'd rather just not.

*Willow*

Absolutely! You sure are right my friend. Be brave, or die trying. Nice observation that speaks volumes. Yours truly, Lightbulb7

Originally Posted by RunningEagleRuns

You have to be brave to keep going in this world. Agree?

Agreed, but there are times where bravery isn't necessary. I.E. >>>
In therapy, don't try to fix things that you are afraid of so fast. "No shotgun therapy", my MD always tells me. It makes sense, I think, if you are afraid of the dark...your therapist tells you to try a nightlight, use one! Don't turn off all the lights and expect your problems to be fixed. Cause they won't they might even get worse. But if you want a girl or a boyfriend and you don't know if they like you...be Brave! Ask them what they think of you. My opinion, thanks!