By: D. A. Slinkard
The second article for 2025 brings us to the letter ‘B’ and our word is bravery. It seems this word does not have the same meaning today as it once did because our society is changing to be far different than how it used to be. It seems in today’s world, the men are more feminine, and the women are more masculine. When you look at a 20-year-old today compared to a 20-year-old from sixty years ago, there really is no comparison. It shows a world in which we lack bravery.
For us to have success in 2025 and to have success in life, I believe we need to choose bravery, and this requires us to be intentional with our actions and a mindset shift. If a person has bravery, it does not mean they do not have fear, it simply means they are able to accomplish things despite the fear. It is important to understand our ‘why’ and what drives us because, oftentimes, bravery stems from having a clear purpose or goal that is bigger than our fears.
Having bravery does not require a person to face massive challenges immediately, but small acts of courage, such as speaking up in a meeting or trying something new, will help build confidence. I used to work with a friend, and if he had to stand before a group of coworkers to say anything at all, he would crumble and would lose all ability to form any kind of cognitive sentence. Instead of seeing our fear as a stop sign, we need to view it as a way we can grow. That same individual who once had trouble speaking in front of a group of ten people now regularly speaks in front of 300 people without even thinking twice about it.
This goes to show that true bravery is about progress and not always about flawless execution. I see many people who want to wait until they have everything figured out when it comes to starting that new business or have everything planned out when it comes to their next venture in life. But instead of waiting, we need to start doing! We need to commit to doing something and then figure it out along the way. We think we have to always have the answer to the questions that arise, but it never seems to fail, there will always be something we did not think about.
I am also a firm believer we must visualize our success we want to achieve. We need to spend time visualizing ourselves succeeding in whatever challenges we face. Seeing ourselves being successful in our own mind is powerful because before anyone else can believe in me, I must first believe in me. And our thoughts are a powerful tool to use. Sadly, though, not enough people visualize their success or even think about the impact they want to have on the world, and this is why bravery is lacking in so many people.
Bravery is also about resilience—the ability to bounce back after failure or setbacks. No matter how courageous we are, life will inevitably throw obstacles in our path. What defines us is how we respond. Instead of letting failure deter us, we should view it as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and try again. Each setback we overcome strengthens our resolve and builds a foundation for future success. Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% of how we respond. Take a moment and let that last sentence set in for a minute.
We must remember that bravery is contagious, and when we act courageously, we inspire others to do the same. Whether it’s in our families, workplaces, or communities, our brave actions create a ripple effect, empowering those around us to face their own fears. In this way, bravery becomes not just a personal virtue but a force that can transform the world for the better. We never know the impact we are having on other people, but we need to be mindful because we never know when someone can use our actions to help take them to the next level.
So, as we step into 2025, let’s commit to embracing bravery. Let’s choose courage over comfort, progress over perfection, and intentional action over hesitation. Let’s remember that bravery isn’t about the absence of fear; it’s about moving forward in spite of it. By doing so, we can build a life and a legacy defined by growth, resilience, and purpose.
By: D. A. Slinkard
D.A. Slinkard would love your feedback. You can contact him at da.slinkard@gmail.com
January 3, 2025
