A couple of Christmases ago, my mother gave me one of the most treasured gifts I have ever received. It’s a narrow silver cuff bracelet with a bunch of inspirational words stamped on it:
- Choose this moment
- Love
- Shine
- B the change u wish 2 see
- Dream BIG!
- Love life
- Be brave
- Smile
- Laugh
- Sing
- Play!
- Dream
- Wish
- Dare 2 be different
After I opened the gift, my mother explained that she had chosen it for me because she has always thought of me as brave. I choked up when she said it. It was maybe the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me, I suppose because I never think of myself as brave even though I want to be. I was touched to know that my mother sees something in me that I never suspected. I don’t always feel brave. Sometimes I really am brave and sometimes I have to fake it ‘til I make it, as they say. But I aspire to it every day, and I want everyone to feel brave enough to pursue their dreams.
Beyond the “be brave” message, the words stamped on my lovely bracelet remind me every day of what I’m here to do. They remind me of what I want for myself and for every one of you. I hope you will join me so we can work together to dream big, love life, and live the lives we dream of.
