Our Fearful Freedom Lights up This World
Tags: Bravery, Prompt, Energy, Short Story, Growth

photo by author

I looked at the prompt and thought about the things I have done in my life that were fearless. I thought about my teaching career and the lights I sparked in my students. Then I decided it was much more important to talk about how much braver it is to do things when you are fearful.

“Bravery is not the absence of fear but the forging ahead despite being afraid” ~ Robert Liparulo.

I am referring to our little community here at Know Thyself Heal Thyself (KTHT). After Diana created this space, it has attracted over 450 followers and now there are almost 100 contributors. I think all of us joined because we wished to grow spiritually. I think all of us joined because we needed to heal. Some joined because they were further along the path and wished to shine their light for others to be able to see the trail markers.

The light that we brought with us varied from barely an ember, to others that I can see the brightness of the light they admit and feel the warmth. I know my light has grown in brightness because of what I have learned from all of you. I can see the light grow brighter over time and articles posted by many of you. Some of us have demons of depression and anxiety. I have that shadow as part of me. I know that many share their vulnerabilities, their traumas, their needs and their desires.

We are a very diverse community. We have contributors from at least five continents! For many of our contributors, our founder included, English is not their native language. I can’t imagine myself being brave enough to post an article in a language other than my native one. Of course, being a mathematics teacher by training, some of you may think English is not my native language *smile*.

We vary in age, I think, from teenagers to retirees. We vary in educational and professional backgrounds. We vary in beliefs. I think this diversity as made us stronger and better people. I think this has helped all of us see it is okay to be different. The one common thing that I see here is that we support each other.

People joined being fearful of being accepted. People joined fearful of being able to grow. People joined fearful of being ready to post. People joined fearful of being able to find their voice at all. It takes courage when fearful to submit your first post. It takes courage when fearful to highlight a post. It takes courage when fearful to respond to a post. I respond very often to posts. I am still fearful that my response will not be seen as positive or show that I did not understand what the author meant.

I do not understand everything that is written. I keep an open mind when I read. I try to absorb things that will help me grow. I sift through the information and see what works for me. I look for things that can help me work on traumas and areas of my life that can be strengthened. I look for things that will help my light burn brighter. I am always amazed at the bravery I see to share the things that people do. I want you to know that it helps to know others have vulnerabilities. It helps to know that others have scars. It makes me feel not alone on the path.

Every single member here lights up the world of Know Thyself. Our world shines bright because of you. I think also that light spreads out to every corner of the world where a member of Know Thyself lives. The world is a brighter place because of you. You make a difference in our lives. You make a difference in the people you touch in your part of the world. Thank you for being brave though fearful. Thank you for lighting the world.