The Power of Courage

Courage - also known as bravery, fortitude, will, and intrepidity, is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty or intimidation

Whenever I think of courage, the first image that comes to my mind is the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz. My heart went out to him every time I saw him standing there with his quivering lion mane and stuttered speech, brought on by his fear of just about everything. The lion thinks that because he lives in fear, he is incompetent. Although he often acts in the face of fear, he doesn't realize it's an act of bravery to do so and only focuses on the fear factor. It is only after the Wizard gives him a special "drink" that his courage surfaces. But we don't have a magic potion, do we? We have to call on our inner strength and for many of us, our inner and outer guides to help us shed whatever frightens us and move forward into our own power. It's so rewarding when we are able to do this.

I gave some thought to what I thought was one of the most courageous things I've ever done. For me, it was moving from my home in Alaska to Connecticut. I moved 4,000 miles away from the island of Juneau, a small community where I knew everyone (or at least it seemed that way), leaving my family and friends to the hustle of the east coast and Connecticut, where I knew no one. Recruited for an exciting job, I was energized for the experience I predicted I would have, but most certainly there were moments when I said out loud to myself, "What in the world am I thinking?" This was particularly the case during the first six months or so, before I made friends and discovered a wide range of activities to participate in. It was a bit unsettling, but I made it through by reminding myself to be patient and making a conscious decision to keep a positive attitude as I explored this new and unfamiliar place. Now, Connecticut is as much a comfort zone as my home in Alaska and I'm very busy, with no lack of things to do and people to spend time with. We have to push fear aside and allow ourselves to embrace the unknown in order to live a life that is courageous. Believe in your ability to make it to the light at the other end of the tunnel and know that there is some lesson to be learned in every experience. If we can keep this in mind, I believe, by way of experience, the journey will be a worthwhile one.

Courage To Follow Your Dreams
A Friend's Perspective

As I was working on this newsletter, my boyfriend asked me to listen to a message he was about to send to his music membership list. As a musician with a large following, he often shares what is on his mind. When he read what he had written, I was moved. It connected to the theme of "courage" in that it reminded the reader not to give up on his/her dream and indeed, it takes courage to follow that course. He was kind enough to let me include it in this month's newsletter and I hope the words remind you to embrace the courage to follow your dreams, wherever they may lead you.

For All Those I Love,
As Well As Those I've Never Met

Don't ever forsake your dreams. They aren't fantasies. They are seeds. Nurture them. See them as the probabilities they represent. Everyday science and physics brings us closer to the spiritual realization that we are what we project. The Bible said it thousands of years ago: "As you think, you are ... and so you shall be." So, see your dreams as yourself realized - and ... so it shall be.

And LOVE. LOVE your friends and your enemies as well - more than yourself, as difficult as that might be. Because, through that unconditional love - you will finally be able to truly love yourself. We are all distinctly unique parts of a remarkable creation. One that is currently ailing. But, my dream is we'll heal this creation. And, I nurture that dream - and so it will be!

Love,
Rick

Quotes About Courage

"Confront the dark parts of yourself and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength."
~August Wilson

"Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage and confidence in the doing."
Unknown

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."
~Ambrose Redmoon

"Every man has his own courage and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
~Winston Churchill

"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

Courage is being afraid, but going on anyhow.
~Dan Rather

HAPPY AUGUST!!!!!!!!!!