Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says… I’ll try again tomorrow. ~ Mary Anne Radmacher-Hershey
When I think about the idea of COURAGE (possessing courage, feeling courageous, and being courageous), my thoughts go to the loveable character from The Wizard of Oz, the cowardly lion. The traits and personality of this lion completely overturned the traditional belief that lions are brave. After all, aren’t they kings of the jungle? The cowardly lion took the fears, blocks and obstacles in his life and adopted them as truths.
Courage
(noun)
1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
Every one of us has our own set of fears, and, very often, these fears prevent us from attaining our true potential and believing that the very things we want in our lives (the very good we deserve to have) was meant for someone else.
If we begin to honor the fears, blocks and obstacles, and not validate them as our truth, we can take the time to look at them and discover why they’ve shown up and are a part of our life. I don’t believe that fears, blocks and obstacles are something we overcome because to be in that mindset means we’ve accepted that they have power over us. Shift your consciousness toward knowing that fears are False Evidence Appearing Real and explore ways you can work with and through the blocks and obstacles that have kept you grounded in the past.
The cowardly lion’s purpose of finding the wizard of Oz was to obtain courage from someone he believed had the power to bestow it upon him. He didn’t realize that it was the journey he took toward this external influence that sparked the courage already inside of him. COURAGE can never be given to us but it is a power we can tap into. There have been numerous times we embraced courage and not recognized it. The showing of courage doesn’t always come by way of a loud roar. Beginning something new, saying, “Yes, I choose me”, knowing that it is okay to call a “do over”, and, as Mary Ann Radmacher-Hershey quoted, “the little voice at the end of the day that says… I’ll try again tomorrow,” are all COURAGEOUS acts.
What courageous step, size is not important, can you take today that will move you toward your divine dream, idea or goal?
Know this affirmation: All the power is within me. I am courageous.
When we create something, we always create it first in a thought form. If we are basically positive in attitude, expecting and envisioning pleasure, satisfaction and happiness, we will attract and create people, situations, and events which conform to our positive expectations. ~ Shakti Gawain
Often times when we hear the word create, we immediately think of creativity, which leads us to the idea of the artist. Many of us believe the only people who create are those who have been gifted with divine talents like painting, photography, sculpting, writing, or acting. This is one myth that should permanently be debunked. Each of us is an artist because every day we are creating. The financial professional creates presentations with numbers that appear as poetry to many of us. The homemaker creates a safe and loving space for their family, and don’t get me started on cooking! True creativity! The act of creating isn’t always external and tangible. One of “create’s” greatest powers is associated with thought. Our thoughts become things. So, what are you creating?
Create
(Verb – used with object)
1. to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
2. to evolve from one’s own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention
(Verb – used without object)
1. to do something creative or constructive
We were not born ordinary and instead were gifted with unique skills, gifts and talents. We are meant to celebrate who and what we are and create a life that supports our exceptionality. When we embrace our power of COURAGE, we CREATE our right and perfect life design. When we CREATE positive thoughts, it is the beginning of the manifestation of our true identity. Tap into your inner-child and allow your inner-artist to emerge.
Take yourself out on an artist date (solo). Go to a place that makes your heart sing and inspires you.
Purchase a sketchbook and crayons and create the image of your first time creating ANYTHING!
Know this affirmation: I CREATE a deliciously abundant existence every day.
Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose Wisely! ~ Karen Kaiser Clark
Very often, whether we want to admit to it or not, change isn’t an idea we joyfully embrace. Depending on the set of circumstances we might actually resent change and the person or event we believe to have caused this unwanted occurrence in our life. Many people stay anchored in the past because they have found a way to feel comfortable in being uncomfortable; therefore, change becomes unnecessary.
Of course there are those moments, and I do believe there are many, where we look at the people in our life and offer unsolicited advice on ways they should change in order to make their life more fulfilling. Isn’t it always more fun to focus on someone else’s drama, instead of centering on what we do have the power over ~ our lives.
Many years ago, I came across an alternative version of the Serenity Prayer and to this day, I pull it out when challenged by change.
Lord, give me the serenity
to accept the people I cannot change,
the courage to change the person I can,
and the wisdom to know it is me!
Change
(Verb – used with object)
1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or form what it would be if left alone.
2. to transform or convert
(Verb – used without object)
1. to become different
2. to become altered or modified
3. to be come transformed
We can dig in our heels all we want, but part of living life is change. You are not the same person you were two months ago, let alone two years ago. When you consciously say, “Yes, this is my time to shine,” you are also saying yes to change. Change can feel very lonely and scary. With personal and spiritual growth, we sometimes discover that the very people we believed would be in our lives forever will not. This doesn’t make them or you awful. We all are on unique paths and there will be moments when you will need to love people from afar.
If you see CHANGE as a positive part of your transformation in order to CREATE a life you love, you are making a COURAGE shift of consciousness. If you recognize that you are no longer comfortable in your skin, you will CREATE positive thoughts that promote CHANGE and start your on an extraordinary journey.
What change are you ready to make in your life?
Know this COURAGEOUS affirmation: I have the COURAGE to CREATE positive CHANGE in my life.
Do you have the courage to create positive change in your life? Are you ready to say yes?
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Humanity’s misfortune is when we don’t realize the very gifts we are! We don’t serve the rest of the world or ourselves by playing small. Live your life big! Own your truth! We must embrace the knowing that we deserve to live a life we love, one that supports who and what we are. We need to be willing to say, ‘Yes! I choose me!’
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© 2011 Michele Mattia. All Rights Reserved.
Michele, a nationally recognized speaker on both tv and radio, is an Inspirational Speaker, Best Selling Author, Life Design Coach, New Thought Leader and Creative Strategist. During a silent retreat five years ago, she asked herself the question: “What would I do right now if I wasn’t worried about the “how”?” What manifested next was nothing short of extraordinary! Specializing in Life Design, Michele’s mission is to inspire, support and co-create all possibilities her clients and audiences are courageous enough to demand. She motivates others to claim their unique gifts and talents, while owning that they deserve to create a dynamic and delicious life. Michele believes we must embrace the knowing that we deserve to live a life we love, one that supports who and what we are. We need to be willing to say, “Yes! I choose me!” To learn more about Michele and receive Michele’s Daily Dash, an empowering eZine, go to www.MicheleMattia.com







