Thirty Seconds of Incredible Bravery

My Dad once told me with thirty seconds of incredible bravery you can accomplish almost anything. It only takes thirty seconds of incredible bravery to acknowledge the fear and then push forward. Being brave is usually about taking that first step or speaking that first word. Everything is a lot easier once you get rolling. With thirty seconds of incredible bravery you can become unstoppable.

He knew thirty seconds was the average span of attention. He also knew his youngest son was way bellow average, in fact, comically low in this regard. He changed his philosophy on being incredibly brave to something more my speed. He said once, "Bitty Buddy, I know you, and you my son only have to be incredibly brave for three seconds and you can change the world. It takes only a couple seconds to punch a bully in the jaw. It only takes only a few seconds to decide what's right and then doing it is easy."

He always said, "The more you do something the easier it gets." Facing your fear is the same way. The more you do it the easier it gets. Being brave is not being fearless. "Being brave is being scared shit-less and still moving forward. Being afraid is natural.  Being brave takes practice. Being brave is taking that first step, taking that first swing, taking that first leap, speaking that first word knowing that you will most likely fail, but trying anyway. Being incredibly brave is trying again and succeeding."

He also always said, "Fear is a waste of time!" He had had a lot of practice.

My Dad

Jefferson Donald Keith, 1945

A Marine in the South Pacific.

Maryland Terrapins, Jan. 1952

My Dad after beating #1 Ranked Tennesse, winning the Sugar Bowl, and completing a perfect undeafeted season. Under coach Tatum's left hand. It was his last game. He knew a little something about being brave and about moving forward.