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?

There is Possibility in Awareness.

Dwell in possibility ~ Emily Dickinson

I was asked the other day - if a Genie granted you three wishes what would they be? My answers were as follows - One | I would wish for my big dream (more on that later) for my career to come to fruition. It is both creatively and soul fulfilling, and those are both at the top of my priority list. Two | Good flow of money coming in. Consistently. Three | (This is where it got sticky for me) I would absolutely wish for babies. My first inclination was to wish for only one. But the truth is, if I were Really wishing. I would wish for two (because that is what I want). In this moment, while writing down my three wishes, I realized that I was holding back on wishing for myself. Myself! Thank goodness for self awareness. I took a deep breath, erased what I wrote, and added not one but two babies.

I've mentioned before that my brain goes to lack first, and then in these moments of presence I catch myself and am able to shift course. This is a pattern I've lived with all of my life. Lack. So I am very grateful for the gift of awareness. It is life changing. We get stuck in patterns, moving through life as though we are on auto pilot. Rolling with the thoughts in our head, without questioning who or what is in control. We all do it - it's part of the human condition. But the beauty is...there is possibility in awareness, simply noticing, without even having to act. Or having to make some big giant leap. Just the act of noticing is all it takes, and with regular practice you begin to see those places where you get tripped up. Then the self awareness starts happening more often. And things start happening in your life - even without the giant death defying leaps, even with teeny tiny baby steps.

The baby thing is just one example of how the lack comes up for me, I could insert any number of words to fill in the __________. Money. Love. Success. Self Care. Etc. It's about claiming my worthiness. Recognizing my worthiness. I'm not saying that I am constantly in a low state|feeling down|wishing my life was different|feeling like life is not fair|searching for something outside myself. Though I do have those moments, I think if we're honest, we all do. The thought pops in - oh no, I couldn't/shouldn't have that. That's not responsible. Or prudent. Or possible. Whether it's having children, a new fulfilling career, more income, a new car, a trip to Europe, a trip to San Francisco, a big dream of any sort, being an arist, writing a book, splurging on a really fantastic dinner out, treating yourself to skin care or a pedicure, buying a new pair of shoes or three (I mean really...it is those simple things that we deny ourselves sometimes). I say it's all hooey! Let me be the first to say that perpetually dwelling in a lack mentality reeeallly puts a damper on wishing. So let's just do away with that! Yes of course there are bills to pay, and neccessities. But there is also possibility. Ways in which things work out if we only allow ourselves to wish it first.

It's in the moments of awareness that I know (you know, at the core of my being) that I AM worthy of all good. It's not something I need or have to change, it already exists - I just need to be present to it. And the feelings/thoughts of lack and separation are just that. Me on auto pilot. Rolling with it. Until I notice it. And then the possibility begins. So wish away...I say. To both myself and to you.

What 3 wishes would you ask the Genie to grant? dream big.

You deserve it.

This post is part of Dian Reid’s blog challenge at Authentic Realities. Head over and take a look at the challenge to discover other bloggers writing about Self-Evidence and Authenticity.

My Bit of Wisdom.

I can always find my center when I am at the ocean.

home

center

love

beauty

heart full

tranquil

alive

present

powerful

quiet

breathe

connected

happiness

fearless

still

all words that come to mind when I think of being there, with the sea. no matter where the path ahead leads...it's the place I can return to again and again to come home to myself.

*This post was written as part of Dian Reid's Self Evident + Authenticity blog Challenge