Bold Vs Brave


by Margie Senechal

Usually when I answer the question, "What would you tell your younger self if you could?"

I've always answered, "Be brave." 

As if I were fighting tigers and chickened out. 

Okay, so I didn't go parasailing--and even the blind kid went--in Mazatlan because I was sure the parasail would break under my 135 pounds. I could've used bravery that time.

But, aside from that instance, I think what I've meant all these years was to, "Be bold."

While bold and brave are similar. They are inherently different. I looked it up just to make sure.

Bold is not to be hesitant and shy. Brave is more synonymous with courage.

So, what I wanted all these years was to be bold. To have faith in myself and be able to express it. Especially in high school as I was never bold in high school.

Take the time in Mrs. Hansen's Spanish class that she asked us what the capital of England was and nobody answered. I thought it was London, but didn't raise my hand because it was so obvious and in the US, obvious doesn't apply to capitals. She was so enraged by our ignorance that instead of learning Spanish, we spent the next two weeks studying and being tested on world capitals and cities. Had I only answered,I might have saved us that ordeal. Sorry, 1979 HBHS Spanish class.

Back to bold. I am, somewhat, now. But, not enough and sometimes not when it might be most important. Those insecurity shadows have a way of creeping in when one least expects them.

As writers, we know words matter. Choosing just the right word can change the entire context of a sentence, a paragraph, a chapter, a book. And sometimes a life.

Okay, it's time to head to work and be bold. Happy Thursday!
 



Comments

  1. Star Trek says to boldly go, not "bravely"... I think you are both on to something important! Great post, Margie!

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    1. Well, if It's Star Trek approved, I must be onto something :)

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  2. Love this, Margie...I'm working on the bold part. And the brave. All of it. :D

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  3. Clearly, you need a dragonfly--I'll send you one. My mom gave me one because they represent boldness and she always encouraged me to be bolder. I'm not so much, but I am more than I was when I was younger...that's something.

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    1. I love this. I never heard this about dragonflies and now have to google the connection :D

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  4. I love this, Margie. I think it needs to be a Wrangler word of the year.

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  5. Very good point. Now that I think on it, there've been many times I was brave, but I'm not often bold.

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  6. I was never bold in high school either, Margie. Was anyone? I like Liz's idea. Let's make Bold our Wrangler word of the year.

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  7. This was fabulously bold and it hit home. I needed this today. Thank you for raising you hand and saving me from weeks (or a lifetime) of unnecessary re-schooling. And, you know, probably half of that class could have raised their hand and said London. After all, that really is the only city in England that most people can name. LOL

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