I cross-posted in GD my response to Tobin's question about bravery.

[Denninmi]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023880104

[hunter]

1. I don't get brave at my very worst. I become invisible.

I'm the unremarkable guy digging through the dumpster.

I purposely put redeemable cans and bottles in my recycling bin on trash day for the other unremarkable invisible people. First currently is an elderly Filipino(?) gentleman on a bicycle who doesn't speak, he simply smiles. Early bird gets the worm. I don't always sleep nights which is why I sometimes meet him. What he does is illegal but in our town the police are severely understaffed and won't quickly respond to any call but violence.

Old guy stealing cans from a recycling bin??? Are you kidding?

I remember when I was an invisible person living in my broken car in a church parking lot. The manager of a local fast food place would give me timed-out food that was supposed to go in the dumpster.

I didn't starve. I was resourceful.

These days I rely on the social safety net I've built. Whenever I drift too far into the darkness I trust someone will pull me back. I've never been brave enough to seek help myself when I'm in my darkest places.

But maybe building and maintaining my safety net when I'm fully functional is my "brave." I wish I could know. My "off-meds" self is entirely invisible feral human.