Since I have started my own organization called Loving Our Oceans Now, bravery has come to the forefront of my thinking. I’m only 17, how can I get people to listen to me? Then it dawned on me that I have to go out there and get people to listen to me. I have to be willing to go up to people no matter if I get shot down or not.
We need bravery in our everyday lives, because without bravery you would not be able to achieve goals, or in my case, stand up for something you believe in. Being brave doesn’t just mean saving someone’s life, it can mean going out on stage even though you have stage fright, or talking in a group of people if you consider yourself an introvert. All the time something is put in our way to stop us from doing what we want to do, but in order to not let that stop you, you must be brave and know that you can persevere through any situation.
When I started Loving Our Oceans Now, in April, I was wondering how can I spread the word without people thinking I’m crazy for wanting to save the oceans. Then I realized, all it would take was to be brave enough to stand outside of the crowd and be different. To be yourself takes a lot of bravery, as people may judge you or not like you because of who you are and what you stand for, but that should never stop you from being yourself. It is okay to stand out in a crowd and to be different, because being different can get you where you want to be. Just because you choose to stand out does not mean there is anything wrong with you, no matter what people say. And to just simply be you may require bravery.
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” e.e cummings describes my version of bravery in a simple but powerful sentence. To be who you really are no matter what, throughout your whole life and never losing who your childlike wonder is bravery. To be honest like a child, to be caring about nature like a child, and to be just who you have always been for the sake of you is being brave. Take the risk and be yourself!
Step out of your comfort zone and shine! No matter who is watching!
I Dare U 2 Bee Brave and Bee you!
Love,
Sarika Ganguli
