It is easier to be brave, when not afraid

One of the first stories my parents read to me was Who will comfort Toffle? by Tove Jansson. Little Toffle, who was afraid of the world outside, but too afraid of being alone to have the courage to stay inside. Leaving his home to encounter the world, but again feeling too shy to make new friends. But sometimes it doesn't require more than a a scared Toffle to be the brave one for someone else. It was a story that made me feel a bit scared, a bit sad, and finally, happy. It was all about being brave, even though inside you're scared. Strangely enough, that is the theme I've been stumbling upon during the last few days. It is not matched by the feelings inside of me, so it leaves me puzzled, for now.

So a few days ago I bought a card (Yes, a Moomin one) saying "It certainly is easier to be brave, when not afraid".
I instantly thought of those people in my life that always seem so brave. Grabbing all bulls by their horns, without a shadow of a doubt. I am not like that. At least not consequently so.

I must admit, I sometimes fake it when I'm too afraid to be as brave as the situation requires. I make believe I am somebody else, somebody I know would be brave. It makes it a bit easier. It makes it easier to forget about being afraid and instead opening up for being more brave.

On the other hand. Toffle was so afraid, yet when meeting somebody even more afraid, he seemed very brave in comparison. From zero to hero, just by changing the point of view. And I bet that made Toffle a bit more brave, a bit less afraid, in the end.