BRAVERY

Craig Dunkleberger

We can face danger, adversity, and fear, or run from them and hide.
We might need to muster up some courage by using our bravery inside.
Unfortunately though, there’s a strong possibility we will get hurt on the way.
We’ll have to confront the frightening things that scared us some yesterday.

We will show physical and moral strength and be tested to the core.
We will have to show the world that we are tougher and stronger than before.
We may be scared, and fear will try to convince us not to take on a hard task.
The only way to conquer fear is with bravery underneath of our mask.

Our mask just offers us protection and a valid reason to wear a disguise.
This disguise makes us feel powerful and strong much to our surprise.
Since our identity is hidden, the critic is quiet, we are liberated to just be us.
It is only then, that we reach success, our limitations and fears are harmless.

Fear will make us hesitate, and pull the emergency brake, causing some alarm.
We need bravery and courage, to take risks and achieve without much harm.
Bravery is necessary because we can’t escape the fear that lives on the inside.
Our worst enemy and critic is ourself, but we soon learn to take it in stride.

Written: Craig Dunkleberger

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourself be seen.”

Brene Brown

“Don’t ever let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”

Babe Ruth

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Wayne Gretzky
  • THE RULES DON’T APPLY
    Nick Shockney, the current CCPS Assistant Superintendent broke the law and it was covered up. This poem odd to blow the whistle on this behavior and hold him accountable for his actions, once and for all B
  • PERSPECTIVE AND IDENTITY
    If I see a six, and you see a nine; No perspective, needs a redefine. Perspective, lies in the beholder. Each is found, above the shoulder.
  • FREE TO LIBERATE
    Every American has the liberty to simply choose. Too many give that right up, for too many views. Your choice might not be the same, as my choice. Your choice isn’t better, making me lose my voice.
  • CENSORING MY VOICE
    Don’t silence my voice, if it’s different than you. My opinions are many, they are not just a few. How can I stay quiet, when i was mistreated? The silent, give it permission, to be repeated.
  • EFFORT ITSELF
    Any effort starts with the decision to just try. Effort requires energy, for us to then apply. A decision of effort, starts inside of our brain. The brain’s nueroplasticity, is what we’ll gain.
  • GET A GRIP ON YOUR GRUDGE
    It is a hard feeling, when you hold a grudge. You can’t let go of the past, and won’t budge. All of the future is blurry because of the past. They blur together, as time has then amassed.
  • THE COLORS WE ALL SEE
    You will always see color, and me, will just the same. Our eyesight doesn’t need adjustment, or reframe. Color is something, we all see, with some emotion. The colors we see, set our emotions, into motion.
  • OPEN YOUR MIND
    Everyone has different beliefs, all felt in the heart. First, you have beliefs, they make you fall apart. Untrue beliefs, are confronted from the very start. Understanding your current thinking, plays a part.
  • PARENTS AS ARTISTS
    When your child is born, they are simply a blank slate. They are but a canvas, for your artwork to demonstrate. Artwork, is not a duplication, but an opportunity for art. No formula or directions are given, right from the start.
  • WHO AM EYE?
    Always be humble, kind, happy and proud. Be the man in the arena; in front of a crowd. Funny how we view “pride”, as a deadly sin. I’m about to dismiss that belief, as we begin.
  • GROWING COMPARISON
    Feeling envy, is chosen as a deadly cardinal sin. Being jealous, puts you back where you begin. Envy is wanting what someone does possess. Jealous is the intimation; of a lack of progress.
  • MORE THAN BEFORE
    Never less, or never more. Never equal, out the door. Compare to some, to all. Making everyone then fall.
  • Good to Great Leadership
    A leader inspires passion, and motives others to follow. You must follow before leading, a hard pill to swallow. A leader can see into the future and knows the pathway. Creating actionable steps, to not make any go astray.
  • CONNECTING THE DOTS
    Sides and corners, are for push and pull. Making some right, making others a fool. Dots connect, if they can just remain still. Disconnecting, if moving, causing a thrill. Dots are hard to connect, when in motion. Water still connects, like waves in an ocean. We have nothing to fear, but that of a shove. When dots finally connect, they’ll spell love.
  • BE YOUR TRUE
    All the same, the different, and the in between; Are making the choice, to show up and be seen. Sometimes questioning, what’s the best result. A choice that is yours, without any more consult.
  • X-RAY VISIONS OF HOPE
    Turn on your x-ray vision, and then lets look inside of anybody. The differences outside, the same inside for us all, to embody. Our skin color, is just the melanin, that our skin must possess. The color of our shell and human interiors, make us all digress.
  • DESPISE THE DISPUTE
    At some point in our life, we have all been in a dispute. A dispute with a loved one, shouldn’t be trivial pursuit. When we disagree on anything, it’s never about the win. It isn’t even, about making, the other person your twin.
  • DIVIDED AND UNITED
    The Republicans and Democrats, both think that they’re right.Standing up for what we all believe in, always worth, the fight.Through … More
  • TAKING BACK CONTROL
    When you turn eighteen years of age, you are finally in charge.
An impetuous rush toward someone or something, to enlarge.
No longer a child, you’re an adult, in charge of your own fate.
You are given the right to stand up against injustice and hate.
  • THIS IS U.S.
    This is me, I’m a United States Citizen, hear me roar.
As of late, I have been treated differently than before.
The constitutional rights of some, should be ones for all.
Using liberty to deny freedom, democracy will then fall.
  • OUR TWO TRUTHS
    When comparing our two truths, they are different or the same.
Withholding or compromising your own truth, will cause pain.
For your truth is yours, and my truth is mine, that’s accepted.
Never let anyone convince you that your truth, must be rejected.
  • THE STATE OF THEM VS U.S.
    Some people, in this world, are hanging on by a thread.Hard to live by the punishment, given to them instead.Hateful, … More
  • MORE WITH LESS
    You can be happier, confident, and fulfilled by actually doing less.
Contradicting what many believe, who think more makes progress.
You shouldn’t add another level if there are cracks in the foundation.
You can improve the appearance of your structure with self-regulation.
  • BEING CONFLICTED OR RESISTANT
    we see things that don’t match; It is our head, that we then begin to scratch. Things we know or believe, not what we see. We then must give ourselves, the third degree.
  • 100% JUICE
    Apples to oranges, then pears, just the same.Loving whom you love, without any refrain.Those who excite and thrill you, always … More
  • POINT OF YOU
    In unison, like beats atop the drum, with that thumping pound. See with me, using a movie camera, recording the latest scene. Stopping and pausing, making sense of the camouflaged green.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY OVER PUNISHMENT
    Let me start off by saying, that punishment will never be effective.
It does horrible things to you, from mistakes, making you defective.
It is easy to see, that not much logic, can be applied in the defense.
Punishment and incarceration, will make every human, feel tense.
  • LET LOVE GROW
    Love is a feeling, that comes from emotions we all feel inside. The combination of trust, respect, kindness, and even pride. Affection we feel for others, must always start with ourselves. Love doesn’t come from any gift, packaged by Santa’s
  • CALMING OUR CHOICES
    When I’m feeling overwhelmed, give me the power to raise me up. Don’t let the water start to rapidly overflow, from inside of my cup. These feelings, overcome me, making it almost too much to bear. The panic, doom, and terror, I feel inside, outside, and everywhere.
  • DESTINATION: PLEASANT
    All the good things in life, are found on the other side of fear. Enduring difficult emotions, can always be, a pain in the rear. Most people hate feeling difficult emotions, wanting it to go. Not truly understanding, they gave up, what they can bestow.
  • COMPARE AND CONTRAST
    When comparing anything, we must also, then contrast. Making the joy, that we feel, no longer continue, or last. When comparing to conform, we betray our difference. Seeing, being unlike or dissimilar, as a criminal offense.
  • WHAT DREAMS MAY COME
    Too many of us our living our fears, instead of our dreams. Living or perusing our dreams, never really what it seems. Always pulling the emergency brake, fearing that we’ll fail. Only reaching our dream, by believing that we will prevail.
  • TWO CENTS
    The most powerful word, in the English language, is choose. Humans beings always choose something, to gain or to lose. Choices, that we make, are based on knowledge or on belief. The results of our choices, will either bring joy or
  • OUR SECRET SKELETONS
    The secrets of the skeletons, always remain, in our closet. Some will try to take a withdraw, or even make a deposit. Like a cobra’s snake skin, they will always leave a thin trail. The skeletons, that have been shown and removed, prevail.
  • THE FIGHT IN THE BRIGHT
    You might have thought, that you knew what it meant, to be smart. Thinking it’s a number, a quotient, that is only the beginning, a start. Intelligence and smartness, are two very different things, we possess. Our numbers and quotients, all different, will never make us, any less.

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  • SHADOWS OF A SHADOW
    My shadow, is scared, of everyone, but not, me. Following me around, giving me the third degree. He chases me, whenever I run, at a great speed. Always with me, it is me, who must, then concede.
  • SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS
    o every problem, it is a solution, that we will always, seek. It does not matter the year, month, or the day of the week. Solutions, are not always found, inside of our very our mind. The best solutions, are always the ones, that are combined.
  • REPLACING THE TURKEY
    Habits that are hardest to break, always have a purpose. When quitting these habits, they always come to surface. Risk must exceed reward, creating validity, to finally quit. Risks and rewards, will always make it easier, to commit.
  • AGAINST THE CURRENT
    You are the captain of your ship, sitting on the sea. Having the ability, only you can overcome adversity. Adversity the waves, you’re just the entire wood ship. Always traveling on the high tide, before ever t
  • REJECTING THE ACCEPTANCE
    Given the choice, to fit or belong, I choose that ladder. Making this choice repeatedly, says that I finally matter. It says I must first belong to myself, before fitting in. Belonging to myself, to no long
  • YOU’RE THE PILOT
    The brain can be programmed, to carry the entire load. This is done, so that the mind, doesn’t simply explode. Life can always be set to autopilot, if that’s your demand. It is only then, that you’ll be unable to play with the band.
  • DETOXING THE TOXIC
    I’ve encountered many toxic people, they make you, your worst. They always get what they want from you, even if it’s coerced. Always getting you to do what they want, it’s just about them. Mastering the art of manipulation, in maneuvering a problem.
  • THE FORGIVENESS OF DECEIT
    Things done behind your own back, will always destroy trust. Not respecting the person enough, on their own outside crust. Misrepresenting the entire truth, they were deceived the truth. The fact will be discovered, by a clever detective, or a
  • IGNITING THE LIGHT OF DARKNESS
    Step outside of your body for a minute, and let’s begin. For this one experiment, we will only be using your twin. Now step over here for a minute, tell me what you see? Can you describe the reality without much uncertainty?
  • SELF REFLECTIONS ARE PROJECTIONS
    Done a lot of reflecting and projecting, in my day. Please listen, as this topic has helped us, go astray. Colors black and white, are really about a reaction. Everything hits these colors, creating an interaction.
  • MAGNETS FROWN THE RAIN
    Actions are a force, you’ll attractDark, is much darker, than beforeThe light will regroup, to subtractIt’s gone, no longer there, … More
  • THE IMPRESSIONS OF IMPRINTS
    Some think that normality is what life is all about. Why fit in, when you were really born to stand out. Standing out from the crowd, is when we will fit in. We’re no longer divided by the color of our own skin.
  • FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS
    Emotions are in the brain, feelings are in the heart. Our self-control and intuitions, will make us smart. Emotions are automatically felt, inside of our brain. Feelings last longer than emotions, harder to restrain.
  • FITTING IN TO BELONG
    Imagine that you are a puzzle piece that will make the puzzle complete. Not fitting in that incomplete puzzle, you’d have to flip over and cheat. You’re oriented the wrong way and direction, to really fit in, as you lay. Choosing to not flip yourself over, the others think you have gone astray.
  • DARE TO COMPARE
    Our brain counts objects, and make comparisons automatically, without a command. Taking this to the extreme, it compares things, that you will inevitably misunderstand. Comparing ourselves to others by our possessions and desires, we’ll always fall short. Disappointed, shocked, angry, jealous,or envious, we act unexpectedly a
  • IT’S YOU CALLING
    When your phone rings and the caller is simply unknown. Do you pick up, or refuse to just pick up your own phone? Sure, it might only be a phone solicitor on the other end. It might also be a sibling, relative, or even
  • SIGNAL UP AHEAD
    t fully present in the moment, things usually pop up without notice. The brain sends you signals, alerting to what you might obliviously miss. Trying to attach meaning to these signals, confused on why they came. Responding emotionally to signals, you will miss your turn in the game.
  • THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE WORRIED
    The truth isn’t always pretty, in fact it can be quite deceptive. Figuring it out is more fun, allowing you to be more receptive. Worrying is just an activity of our thoughts, or emotional state. Focusing on our troubled past, only causes you to contemplate.
  • THE USUAL SUSPECT
    They eventually discovered the person to blame for all of your misfortune. The suspect in question is charged with first degree murder and distortion. The eyewitness confirms the identity, of the detained suspect in question. Much to your own dismay and surprise, that person, is your own reflection.
  • THE REGULATING PART
    Awareness of anything, is the start, but then regulating, is the next part. Hearing the smoke detector, you arise to find the source and hit restart. Your emotions and feelings, are like that smoke detector that is alarming. You must first determine if the coast is clear, and it’s safe to be disarming.
  • AWARE OF OUR AWARENESS
    Self-awareness is something that starts with me, myself, and I. It could be very limited, or it might be very heavy in its supply. It is really about what sets you apart from the rest of the pack. It will allow you to catch yourself, whenever you are
  • FLIP THE SHIP
    When you ship has flipped, exposing the hidden under; Do not fret and choose to focus on your biggest blunder. For what you are able to now see, was really there all along. It may not appear to be like the others, but it isn’t wrong.
  • BEYOND THE HOURGLASS
    As the sands of the hourglass flow just like liquid from a faucet. The sand flows too quickly, creating a huge amount of deposit. As the sand begins to flow from the top, we soon begin to panic. We fear hitting the iceberg up ahead, like the ship of the Titanic.
  • DESTINATION UP AHEAD
    The car is all packed, and you’re ready for your trip. Reaching your destination, you will guide your ship. You’re the captain, and have the choice of your route. Don’t pick the popular one, or the one leaving doubt.
  • THOUGHTLESS THOUGHTS
    Thoughts and words should never just be the same.Untrue thoughts, can often become your mind game.A game where the biggest … More
  • WONDERFUL WONDERMINT
    All things that are wonderful are really full of wonder True beauty isn’t found on the outside but the under. You don’t have to be right, but should always be kind. Whatever it is that you look for, you will always find.
  • SURPRISES AND REACTIONS
    Things can go like you expect them to, or suddenly go aerie.This might cause you to be angry and then … More
  • WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE?
    Every day that we rise, we have an opportunity to hit restart. The life that we imagine and exists should always be far apart. For if we look at what is present, that is all there will ever be. Imagination is more about what isn’t there than what you see.
  • GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH UNCOMFORTABILITY
    What if we all wore a mask everyday, like it was on Halloween? We’d all be different, making us not so judgemental and mean. We would understand that each costume, is merely a disguise. It misrepresents the true nature or identity, like it is a surprise.
  • I WILL SURVIVE!
    I’ve been through a ton over the past five years. This poem was hard to write, bringing me to tears.
  • FILLING YOUR CUP
    At 6:30 in the morning, do you want to hit the snooze on your alarm? Do you view that alarm to be like a bomb that you just wish to disarm. Like many people in this world, the answer to this question is the same. When you are slow to arise, it is really your life that you need to reclaim.
  • LABELS ARE NOT DEFINITIONS
    People don’t need labels, to identify who they are and that they belong. Labels are only used to spread hate and stereotypes, which is very wrong. Labels are used for different purposes, and used in many different ways. It’s the labeled, not the labeler, who decides if that label, is one that stays.
  • DOUBTING DOUBT
    You are in the driver seat, and know your destination. You are traveling to explore, creativity and innovation. But you will have to be vulnerable to get those things. You must be patient with the outcome your life brings.
  • EMOTIONAL EMOTIONS
    All emotions are placed in a pot , which is starting to boil. The pot is always covered with a lid or some aluminum foil. You hope and pray that it doesn’t boil over and make a mess. It will only do that if your arousal is much too high, I guess.
  • EMOTIONAL EMPATHY
    Empathy can really only occur, in someone else’s shoes, not from watching, the events on tonight’s evening news. You try on their shoes, and understand just how they feel. You can relate to their problem, predicament, or ordeal.
  • UNSMART YOUR SMART
    Smart is something that you are, and that you’re not. It has a lot to do; with things you learned, and forgot. If you are smart, you can learn just about anything. It’s something important, about someone or a thing.
  • GETTING PASSED THE PAST
    You can become much too concerned on what was, and will be. When you do this, you are the one, missing your opportunity. You are missing your opportunity, to be present in the moment. You may not see this now, but later it will become more apparent.
  • PUZZLED
    Each of us is a puzzle, we take our pieces wherever we go. Our best self is our completed puzzle, for this is what I know. Pieces may be knocked loose, as you begin to move and shake, Leaving those pieces on the ground, would surely be a mistake.
  • BIASED ABOUT BIAS
    There is something called bias, that keeps us from getting in any harm. Most of our biased thoughts are subconscious, gathering some alarm. Ninety-five percent of thoughts are subconscious, receiving no thought. They come from our experiences and values that we have been taught.
  • JUDGEMENT
    Judgement should only be given, after careful consideration and thought.
 But that is not how our society works, and that is not how we are taught.
 Whenever we see something, judgmental thoughts pop into our head.
 Our beliefs form our judgements, which are how rumors are really spread.
  • TRUSTING TRUST
    If you are looking for trust, where is it that you look? 
Do you trust a person, the internet, an app, or a book? 
Trust is about predictability, and believing it is true.
 This might connect with something, you already knew.
  • CHANGING CHANGE
    Change isn’t only what you get back from a cashier, at the store. It is when something changes and is different, than it was before. Some people tolerate change, while others just run from it and hide. Regardless of how they feel, a change is what will ultimately be supplied.
  • EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED
    ected, when they undo your expectations. They will happen unexpectedly, without any alerts or notifications. You can expect the worst, and plan for the best, all that you want. You will still be surprised with the outcome, I’m sorry to be so blunt.
  • INSANITY & SANITY
    Life can throw your curve balls, that are fast, and sometimes slow.
It can make you stay where you are, or it can make you want to go.
The only thing that I know to be true, is that life is unexpected.
You can choose to let it control you, or be ones you neglected.
  • DISGUST
    Disgust is often a forgotten emotion because it involves topics and things that are unpleasant to talk about. When we avoid these things and conversations, just like fear, our disgust is heightened and intensified.
  • GETTING WHAT YOU WANT
    When we feel unloved, disrespected, and hurt, we want revenge.
This is uncomfortable, so it is something we must try to avenge. 
The problem is, that doesn’t get us what we want, or that we seek. 
Responding emotionally will never work, so think before you speak.
  • THINKING ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS
    Eighty percent of our thoughts, are negative ones, you see.
We need to engage with some of these, and let others thoughts, be.
With practice, you can turn these negative thoughts around,
Always use positive self talk, and optimism that you have found.
  • FEAR-FULL OR FEAR-LESS?
    You decide the extent that fear will play in your everyday lives. You can sense when it is coming, and when it arrives.
  • PUTTING YOUR EMOTIONS INTO MOTION
    Being self-aware of your emotions is a start. Then regulate your emotions, by doing your part.
  • THE VALUABLE GIFT OF TIME
    Time and money; are both things in life that are precious and rare. People either waste them, take it granted, or are unwilling to spare. These two things might be uncommon and rare, but I must disagree. Time dictates the value of money, viewed as a precious commodity.
  • CLEARING OBSTACLES
    An obstacle is something in your way, from your intended path. What will you do to overcome these, in order to reach your goal.
  • THE COACH AND THE CRITIC
    The inner critic and inner coach inside of our head, both are well intentioned. The one that we choose to listen to the most, determines our mindset, because it changes what we believe and how we think.
  • DON’T GIVE UP, DON’T EVER GIVE UP!
    If you want to be resilient, there are ten tips, that will help that occur. All these tips will require a mindset shift, and some hard work for sure. These tips will help you be resilient, and bounce back better than before. Once you become resilient and reach success, that will be hard to ignore.
  • OUR SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
    “SOCIAL BEHAVIOR MAP” IS USED BASED ON A SITUATION. IN EACH SITUATION, THERE IS AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE OR “TRIGGER” WHICH CAUSES A CHOICE IN BEHAVIOR. YOU CAN CHOOSE AN “EXPECTED BEHAVIOR” OR AN “UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR” BASED ON OUR CHOICE, PEOPLE WILL EITHER HAVE HAPPY OR UNHAPPY THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS, WHICH IN TURN EFFECTS HOW THEY TREAT US, WHICH EFFECTS HOW WE FEEL ABOUT OURSELVES.
  • LIMITLESS ♾ BREATHING
    Try taking these steps on using deep breathing or infinity breathing to decrease your worries, anger, and anxious feelings.
  • ANXIOUSLY ANXIOUS
    We start to feel anxious, when worry and fear, meet up in our head.
Depending on how strong they are, we might just want to stay in bed.
We start to feel restless, nervous, tense, tired, or even weak inside.
We want something very much, and we are worried we will be denied.
  • YOUR BRAIN
    Your brain of made up of many different parts. Each one has a specific purpose.
  • DELIGHTED
    You feel delight when you are surprised, happy or feel joy. You can have a delightful experience when you had a good experience.
  • COMBATIVE
    You feel combative when you want to have an argument with someone and start a fight.
  • CURIOUS
    We are overcome with curiosity when we want to know something about someone or some thing.
  • CONTENT OR SATISFIED
    You feel content in life when you are satisfied with what you have and the direction of your life, not wanting more than you really need.
  • CONFUSED
    You are confused when you are unable to think with clarity or act with understanding and intelligence.
  • COMPOSED
    When you are composed, you are calm and have your feelings under control.
  • ASTONISHED
    You are astonished when you feel great surprise and amazement.
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Published by Craig Dunkleberger

I am a blogger who is on a journey to become more emotionally intelligent by understanding what different emotions look like, how they feel, how they are perceived and impact others, and what to do when you are feeling those particular emotions.

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