Everyday Courage.

Do we avoid risks in life...so that we may make it safely to death? - philosoraptor via fear.less

Today's post is about courage, and not the fists in the air, I'm gonna punch you in the nose if you hurt me kind. Or the jumping out of airplanes kind. I'm talking about the kind of courage that we face each and every day. I think courage is found even in the baby steps. Trying something new - without having all of the answers. Following your own path, your unspoken desires. Telling someone about your dream, knowing full well you may not be understood. Taking a class in something that you are interested in, but have no idea how to do. Even in searching the interwebs for places to take said class. Looking yourself square in the eyes in the mirror, and recognizing your full power - Simply because you are alive. Looking into that same face in the mirror, and saying I Love You (even if it feels funny to do it at first). In my opinion these are all acts of courage. Whether the action is big or small, if you are willing to try...that is courage my friend. I watched two really inspiring videos over the last few weeks. I've included them below. If you haven't already seen them, I highly recommend you do. Neither is very long, and so so worth the few minutes it takes.

We aren't expected to be perfect, and to not make mistakes...by anyone other than ourselves. Everyone feels fear at times, everyone stumbles, everyone makes errors, and everyone has (earmuffs) oh shit (earmuffs release) moments. So let's not hold ourselves (or anyone else for that matter) to an impossible standard. Let's dust ourselves off and move forward.

"Excellence comes from the drive to get back up" - Danielle La Porte

*this video was found via Tiffany Moore aka Crafty Fanny 

And I also highly recommend watching Elizabeth Gilbert's video from O magazine's 10 year Anniversary party. It reminds me how important it is to listen to my intuition, my inner voice - the one that leads me down the only path that exists for me. The talk reminds me that it's ok not to know the way, it's ok to make mistakes. That we are on a journey that only women in the last 80-90 years are on, blazing trails, risking failing, making our marks, making the world a better place, finding our way through so many choices, choices that were not available to the women who came before us. The only place of power is that of where we are standing right now. No comparisons to other women, or humans, or the dog (what a life!). Celebrate your authentic life, the real you - there's no one alive that's youer than you (Dr. Seuss). The importance of self forgiveness. The importance of sharing our journeys, so that we might learn from one another. The shame, the fear, the self doubt have no place in this picture; because if we don't share how we are feeling, what we have been through, or what we are currently going through - we might just miss out on sharing a gift with someone else. We are making the way for future generations of girls and women. See how pumped up I am? Now don't you want to watch it?...Really, you should.

I hear the inner critic saying...you're rambling, you have no business writing this. Who do you think you are? My bit of courage right now, is to answer that voice and say...I am me. And this post comes straight from my heart, and if it's rambling...so be it. But I won't be afraid to share my words and both of these amazing videos. Thank you little miss inner critic for giving me the opportunity to be brave. (*picture me cupping my hand to the side of my mouth here - because I'm letting you in on two little secrets). I like to thank her, because she does have lessons to teach if I listen...but sometimes I get the urge to kick her in the shins or pull her pigtails. Hey...I'm only human right?

What little or big thing makes you feel brave?