Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I, like Cheryl Strayed, am a quote collector. I never really thought about it, you know? I’ve done it my whole life. If I loved a particular line in a book, a song, or even in a movie, I would take a minute, think about it, and then write it down on any available piece of paper to me. That means I have quotes written on torn pieces of paper, paper towels, the backs of bank statements and bills (oops), envelopes, the inside cover of notebooks, post-it after post-it after post-it. I even have a quote tattooed on my body (“I contain multitudes”). Basically if it can be written on, I’ve written on it.
I never really thought that was something different. I never really thought that was a special thing only some people do. I just happen to love words so much that I need to be in physical possession of them…at all times.
This book is special, and it’s special in a much different way than WILD was, though, that book is very special too. BRAVE ENOUGH came to me at a time in my life when I needed to absorb some reassuring sentiments – “Don’t surrender all your joy for an idea you used to have about yourself that isn’t true anymore”.
It came to me at a time in my life when I needed a boost of self-worth – “This is not the moment to wilt into the underbrush of your insecurities. You’ve earned the right to grow”.
It came to me at a time in my life when I was filled with uncertainty about my future and afraid of taking risks – “Hello, fear. Thank you for being here. You’re my indication that I’m doing what I need to do”.
And it reminds me that love and generosity are always and forever the most important things in life. “You will learn a lot from yourself if you stretch in the direction of goodness, of bigness, of kindness, of forgiveness, of emotional bravery. Be a warrior for love.”
I read this book on the subway. It was a busy Friday afternoon just before Christmas and the train to midtown was full with people scrambling to finish their holiday shopping. Through Strayed’s words, I felt stillness. Her words filled my heart so much that I was afraid it would overflow. I’m going to keep my copy of BRAVE ENOUGH out on my coffee table, forever visible and within reach for whenever I need a little boost.
Marie Hendry 