Put on Your Brave and Be Your Authentic Self!
Meanings Over Milestones 
by Sarah Cretegny
It was the last day of the Easter term and I was excited to read in the online school newsletter that you had won the Headmaster’s Award. Before I collected you that afternoon, I read the details of what you had been rewarded for doing. It said: ‘for working so diligently this term and for always being the first to volunteer to help and support others.’
I could imagine you doing just that, as over the lockdown you had grown in sensitivity and willingness to put the needs of your brother and sister before your own, at least sometimes! I hoped that you could be brave enough to show this side of yourself to your classmates since you’d been back in the classroom.
I was so excited to see what you would say when I picked you up from school an hour or so later. I tried to ask open-ended questions to you and your brother and sister in turn, in the hope to find out something meaningful about your day. We made it all the way home and still no mention of the award. Then we reached the front door and it was then it came out, as you said in a kind of relaxed, timid voice, “Ah yes, I won the Headmaster’s Award today,” then continuing sheepishly, “I wasn’t expecting it. I was just being myself.”
It was the last few words that were the gold to me and brought a warm feeling to my heart! Almost without realising, you were being brave to be your true self, showing up in the world authentically, showing people this beautiful part of the true you.
It has taken me decades to be free to show up in this world as my authentic self, and if I’m honest there are still occasions when it’s too hard and it takes everything in me to put on my brave and be me. There are the times when the pressure to fit in overwhelms my small voice to speak up for what is right; when I am more concerned about being accepted and not showing my true sensitivity to situations; and when I remain quiet when I’m unsure of my contribution. To hear you say you were just being yourself… that made my heart sing.
Seeing you be brave helps me to be too. The times when I step out in faith for others, offer to pray for them, maybe take a detour to pop in on someone and then not worry that they may think I’m crazy. It’s when I take courage and use my sensitivity to encourage others as I share about the things I have overcome.
I’m so proud of you for having the courage to be your true authentic self, at the age of eight years old. I am prouder of you for that than getting any Headmaster’s Award!
Being authentic today takes bravery. I know you are brave. I see you being brave, and I long for you to continue being brave and to keep showing up in the world as the whole of you. I believe the world needs to see the whole of you, the whole of me, yes, our natural imperfect selves, the great blend of talents, gifts, strengths and weaknesses that we are. Only when we are our true self, wildly authentic, can the relentless unconditional love of our maker be truly felt and the world is a bit better as a result.
Sarah Cretegny is an English mum of three precious children, Alyssa (10), Talia (8) and Nathan (6). Together with her Swiss husband Raphael, they love life and having been touched by Gods’ grace they live life to the full. Connection, creativity and hope are at the heart of everything Sarah does. She started a handmade jewellery business Look Up Jewellery for women who believe beauty starts within. They currently live in Cookham in Berkshire, UK, where you will likely find them messing about on the River Thames as a family or enjoying a few bottles of wine with friends new and old. Home is Lausanne in Switzerland where they love hanging out on the family farm, skiing and eating far too much cheese!
Categories: : Authentic Self, Bravery
Put on Your Brave and Be Your Authentic Self!
by Sarah Cretegny
It was the last day of the Easter term and I was excited to read in the online school newsletter that you had won the Headmaster’s Award. Before I collected you that afternoon, I read the details of what you had been rewarded for doing. It said: ‘for working so diligently this term and for always being the first to volunteer to help and support others.’
I could imagine you doing just that, as over the lockdown you had grown in sensitivity and willingness to put the needs of your brother and sister before your own, at least sometimes! I hoped that you could be brave enough to show this side of yourself to your classmates since you’d been back in the classroom.
I was so excited to see what you would say when I picked you up from school an hour or so later. I tried to ask open-ended questions to you and your brother and sister in turn, in the hope to find out something meaningful about your day. We made it all the way home and still no mention of the award. Then we reached the front door and it was then it came out, as you said in a kind of relaxed, timid voice, “Ah yes, I won the Headmaster’s Award today,” then continuing sheepishly, “I wasn’t expecting it. I was just being myself.”
It was the last few words that were the gold to me and brought a warm feeling to my heart! Almost without realising, you were being brave to be your true self, showing up in the world authentically, showing people this beautiful part of the true you.
It has taken me decades to be free to show up in this world as my authentic self, and if I’m honest there are still occasions when it’s too hard and it takes everything in me to put on my brave and be me. There are the times when the pressure to fit in overwhelms my small voice to speak up for what is right; when I am more concerned about being accepted and not showing my true sensitivity to situations; and when I remain quiet when I’m unsure of my contribution. To hear you say you were just being yourself… that made my heart sing.
Seeing you be brave helps me to be too. The times when I step out in faith for others, offer to pray for them, maybe take a detour to pop in on someone and then not worry that they may think I’m crazy. It’s when I take courage and use my sensitivity to encourage others as I share about the things I have overcome.
I’m so proud of you for having the courage to be your true authentic self, at the age of eight years old. I am prouder of you for that than getting any Headmaster’s Award!
Being authentic today takes bravery. I know you are brave. I see you being brave, and I long for you to continue being brave and to keep showing up in the world as the whole of you. I believe the world needs to see the whole of you, the whole of me, yes, our natural imperfect selves, the great blend of talents, gifts, strengths and weaknesses that we are. Only when we are our true self, wildly authentic, can the relentless unconditional love of our maker be truly felt and the world is a bit better as a result.
Sarah Cretegny is an English mum of three precious children, Alyssa (10), Talia (8) and Nathan (6). Together with her Swiss husband Raphael, they love life and having been touched by Gods’ grace they live life to the full. Connection, creativity and hope are at the heart of everything Sarah does. She started a handmade jewellery business Look Up Jewellery for women who believe beauty starts within. They currently live in Cookham in Berkshire, UK, where you will likely find them messing about on the River Thames as a family or enjoying a few bottles of wine with friends new and old. Home is Lausanne in Switzerland where they love hanging out on the family farm, skiing and eating far too much cheese!
Categories: : Authentic Self, Bravery
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