Why not a brave-making date? | Renew | Repurpose

My husband, Gary, and I had several favorite trails in the Oregon Cascades. One of my brave-making goals is to eventually re-hike all of them. Alone.

 

For those new to the blog, I’ve written from time to time about brave-making ventures that help neutralize fear or anxiety brought on by widowhood.

On my brave-making list: re-hike all our favorite wilderness trails. And continue keeping Friday date night. Alone.

But here’s a new twist: why not a brave-making Friday date?

And so, this past Friday, I trekked up to the moraine lake tucked into the east slope of Broken Top, an extinct and glacially-eroded volcano.

This thought from an author unknown:

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.

This particular hike begins along a shaded canal with old growth and new growth and wild color.

 

It eventually breaks out into the open where piles of rocks and masses of wildflowers decorate the landscape.

 

 

 

After crossing a couple of snow fields, and clamoring up a narrow trail clinging to the side of a hill (think: mountain goating), the reward is an unbelievably gorgeous sea-foam green lake formed from a glacier.

 

This thought from Nanea Hoffman:

You are here. Figure out what you love and then pursue it relentlessly. It’s OK to be scared. Just don’t let that be your excuse for not trying.

Cultivating courage is an ongoing process. It’s not a once-and-done thing.

During the seasonal changes of our lives that we didn’t ask for—single again after being part of a couple, emptying our nests, aging, loss of a loved one, or the trauma of a serious diagnosis—it’s simpler, more comfortable, less risky to stay home. To watch other people lead adventurous lives.

But … this thought from an author unknown:

Great things never come from comfort zones.

To finish out my Friday date, I sat in Drake Park by the river with a book—because Gary and I enjoyed a number of Drake-Park-in-lawn-chair dates back when he didn’t feel well enough to venture out very far.

This lovely laziness was followed by fish tacos at Spork.

Friday date. Alone. But fun. And today, I’m feeling a little braver than I did before today.

What if?

What if we drafted a list of brave-making ventures we’d eventually like to tackle? And what if we established some epic memories and built deeper courage by venturing out? Do it!