There is a game I dearly love. It’s a game you can play without anyone else knowing. I almost hesitate to even call it a game. In some ways, it’s more of a framework for being in the world. Or maybe an alternative reality experience. It’s called Brave Sparrow.  

Imagine that you are actually a sparrow confined to a human body. And that there are certain things you must do in order to regain your wings and become a sparrow again.

The game begins with Training, which includes collecting feathers, witnessing quiet beauty, and acting with bravery. All of these are a sort of mindfulness. Being aware of the world around you and your connection to it. In the framework of the game, though, it is all about moving in the direction of regaining your wings.

Here’s how the game creator, Avery Alder, defines “acting with bravery”:

Bravery is the willingness to act, even and especially when you are terrified.
It is action and intent carried out in the name of hope.
Bravery is unable to oppress, though it is able to hurt.
Bravery always liberates - first oneself, and often others.
Bravery will sometimes make you vulnerable to the world,
and it will always make you vulnerable to yourself.
Train yourself to act with bravery. 
Speak out against injustice.
Risk embarrassment.
Get a song in your heart and then sing it.
Sing poorly and loudly.
Accept criticism and thank people for it.
Forgive often and without caveat.
Refuse to obey rules that cause harm.
Knock down walls.
Don't treat this list as a set of cute sentiments, but as necessary components to escaping a very real and tangible prison.

Maybe you see why I love this game. The rules read like scripture. When I read them, my heart is stirred. I get the sense that I have been neglecting something absolutely necessary for being fully alive.

There is a little more to Brave Sparrow. There are self-defined Missions, and there are Feather Tests (to see if any of the feathers you’ve collected are truly yours). You can read it for yourself if you’re intrigued. (It’s free.)

For today, though, I am meditating on this scripture about bravery, and how easy it is to confuse bravery with more anxious behaviors. How easy it is to keep choosing what seems safe instead of what we know will set us free.