#23: Bravery

It takes bravery to speak out. To perform in front of a camera. To give hope to an entire country.

Amanda Gorman, the first US youth poet laureate, is only 22 years old. She read her poem «The Hill We Climb» during President Biden’s inauguration.

Her performance was so brilliant! It was the best I had seen or listened to on TV in a long time. It blew me away, made me smile and gave me hope.

Amanda is a brave young woman. No doubt.

Not because she is tall and physically strong. She isn’t.

Not because she is desperate and sees no other options. She does.

Not because she feels hatred and disgust for a particular group of people. She clearly doesn’t.

Not because she craves change for her own benefit only. No way.

Quite the contrary.

A tiny young woman is now the new symbol for hope and bravery. She finishes her poem with a call to SEE and BE:

When day comes we step out of the shade,

aflame and unafraid

The new dawn blooms as we free it

For there is always light,

if only we’re brave enough to see it

If only we’re brave enough to be it

It is only then that we will be able to FLY.