We are admittedly the opposite of invincible - a leisurely bike ride, a slippery bathroom floor or sunny day hike can be as fatal as a speeding car coming at us. In response to life's inherent unpredictability, we often don a heavy mask: the brave face. Society's unspoken demand for unwavering bravery has led us to reluctantly play this role throughout our years. To be seen as a decent, socially acceptable human being, we must appear unafraid, for the fear of appearing ridiculous looms large. Yet, this very inclination to be courageous often masks a tragic hiccup in our psychological development. We've inadvertently abandoned the tender, apprehensive inner child within ourselves, who, truth be told, still resides within us. In reality, we have never ceased to feel fear; it accompanies us daily. By midlife, our fears seem to compound: worries about our grown-up responsibilities, concerns for our children and parents, job, personal finance, health, and even the seemingly irrational phobias, like wrinkles or germs. Above all, the fear of losing love and respect, and ultimately, the fear of death, in all its forms, looms ever present.
On a sleepless night, our exhausted minds dimly acknowledge we are only one diagnosis, one car crash, or one unexpected intubation away from our own mortality. The path to healing involves a reconnection with the frightened, vulnerable child that resides within us. It's an invitation to offer love and boundless compassion to that inner self, who, despite our best efforts, is still very much a part of who we are today. It's a step towards understanding that bravery does not equate to the absence of fear; rather, it's about having the courage to acknowledge our vulnerable parts and offer unconditional kindness to ourselves.