From time to time you hear someone make a comment such as, “she is so brave.” There are other comments you will hear regarding a display of courage, or other test of will regarding risk. The thing is that bravery is just not something that can be measured. You will only ever know how brave you are until you are in the act of actually doing something that is risky. It is not bravery that is actually evaluated, it is really how much risk that you are personally willing to tolerate. Does not sound as exciting to say, “she is really willing to take much more risk now that she has gained confidence in her abilities.” However, that is definitely more precise.
Bravery therefore is just really confidence in one’s ability to overcome the negative effects of a risk taken and consequence realized. Once the worst case happens, what is your ability to overcome and survive.
Guy Reams
