BRAVERY PART TWO Bravery to me meant the ability to conquer fear and face the challenge. According to the Oxford American Dictionary, this is actually the definition of courage. A brave act is the result of courage. I tend to agree with your comments. Bravery is innate and it also depends on disposition. Then we are left with more questions! If bravery is innate does it make the act a true act of courage? Let's use the least threatening example of children. While one child might find it easy to speak on stage and greet the public, another child might be terrified. The second child would then see the first child as brave; but, is this true since it was so easy? When is something considered brave or just plain foolish? Common sense and self preservation certainly do have their place! While some would see my skydiving stunt as brave, others would say it was just foolish or a thrill seeking activity. Just to let you know, my oldest has shown true courage! He conquered his fears! He swam across the pool without help! He jumped off the side of the pool! Then to prove something to his little brother, he jumped off the diving board! I suppose my children's dispositions are what drive me to confusion. They are both very verbal and gregarious. So, when I see timid behavior in them I am surprised. But in reality I suppose we are all afraid of something! Over to you!  ¶ 6/17/2004 12:02:00 PM