Because we only get one life! With tips and journaling prompts. Courage was the little spark that lit my path. It carried me through my gut-turning grief, muscle-clenching trauma and icy shame. But I uncovered my courage, so I could spin it all into gold. Back into the dark tumbled my earlier adaptations, trying to fit in, to do the right thing, to meet the expectations of others: all now impossible anyway. I saw everything with new eyes. From the blackness shone that light of courage, while fear and pain nipped at my heels.
What could you do today to foster more courage? What holds you back from facing your fears? Have you ever lost so much (like me) that all you had left was courage?
I guess my first step is going to rehab. After that I'll have a clear mind, and i won't be so reliant on him (he provides my Xanax) then maybe I can start building my life up again.. get out of the house, get a job, get some money.. and then maybe everything will change and I’ll be able to get away from him if I still need to. Or maybe he will change too once he sees that I am. But in the past when I’ve made strides toward getting better, he has gotten abusive. He likes it when I’m sick. He wants me to need him.
This is the first time I’m naming my true fears. It feels.. scary but.. I’m glad I know what my true problem is. I’ve lied to myself for so long.. and I believed him when he told me so many lies… lies that slowly took everything away from me.. my whole life is in his hands.
But not anymore. ✊🏻
“With courage face the things you fear, so the pawn becomes the queen”
Naming your fears is another great step. Then you can address them. It’s good to get your life back in your own hands, and it sounds like you have ideas how to do this.
Are you familiar with the concept of co-dependant relationships? It is worth googling this, as yours sounds like it is one, where he depends on your dependency. As well as rehab or while you get there, you could see if there is a support group in your area. Good luck Sean! 👊🏻
Thank you so much 🙏 Im in an abusive relationship.. it has lead me to spending the past six years abusing xanax and unable to leave the house, severe depression and anxiety, and so much shame it kills me. Just yesterday I said to my mom, I don’t have any fight left in me… he has drained me of everything.
I hope I can figure out how to do this, but courage is absolutely the first step.. my life has been stagnant, just as you wrote.
Sorry to read this Sean. Often when we’ve fallen into multilayered difficulties we need a step by step process to get out of it. Building courage is a good place to start. ✨
Yes, it’s going to be a very long and difficult road, but courage is exactly what I need.
This is giving me chills because your post has awakened me to remember my truth. To remember who I used to be.
And it’s even more impactful because my nephew asked me to make him a painting of a Norse mythology bear for his birthday, which we are celebrating tonight.
And he doesn’t know it but, that is the spirit animal that has been calling to me recently, showing up in my dreams and shamanic journeys, but I didn’t know why.
You made me remember.
The first healing ceremony that ever I offered to a group was called: Awakening the bear. I incorporated plants and different things associated with bear medicine, and painted a bear claw on my arm. It was so beautiful.. it was for the spring equinox. All about awakening.
My nephew asking for this means so much more than he realizes. This is my spirit animal calling to me once again. I need to get out of hibernation and take back my life.
Maybe I will paint that claw on my arm again tonight… and I will tell him this story. Just like the Norse pagans told their stories, sitting around the fire, with their animal companions, the bear. (Literally, they had pet bears lol)
This is so beautiful! What a wonderful spirit animal. Maybe you could do some writing too, journal about that bear. Everything you see in the bear is a part of you. Imagine the bear being you in your life now, and imagine what they would do. Let them guide you forward. (though really, it is all a part of you. You may not have been connecting with the bear qualities and wisdom enough until now!) 🐻 Your nephew has awakened something for you here, and it feels like a gift.
Sometimes life feels way too difficult and we want to shrink from it. I have also lost too much and am, at this point I'm my life, living on courage and hoping my recent leap will work in my favor. One step at a time.
My heart goes out to you in support. I know this; We are meant to thrive. These low places can provide the foundation from which we can push into a greater, more fulfilling life. It's just a redirection at first, a compass adjustment. And then a step or two and we're on our way.
I wish you strength, courage and joy on your new journey.
I’m needing courage right now to invoice a big design job that I did for my old company. We didn’t agree on a price up front, because the head boss always blows the initial scope of work. So now I have to invoice and it’s scary.
I’m going to use your steps and finally do it today. Wish me luck!!
Thank you for sharing this! It's a great reminder and clarifier
I am 53 - my daughter also just started university (which is wonderful and exciting!), my husband just retired this year, and I face chronic and progressive health issues. I am excited and optimistic about this time in my life to embrace change, but also am floundering because there are so many options, and it's a little bit scary! Although, I've been known to make big leaps in the past, I've never been this age before. I think I know what I want to do, it's now a matter of just gathering up the strength (courage) and commitment to do it!
We have to adapt with age don’t we, as our landscape changes. Health changes have been a big one for me to navigate, having been so healthy all my life. Good luck with it Keila, and to your daughter. 🧡
This post is brilliant Kate 👍 I'm sorry to hear you're going through some challenging times 😔 It's often the hardest thing to take one's own advice.. but you have it all there within you.. you WILL find your way ❤️ Big hugs 🤗 P.s. So excited for more fabulous guided meditations.. yay! 🎉 x
Thanks Eva, I just had so much less time and energy to spend here though I don’t think anyone noticed! Oh good! I hope to start the meditations again in the next couple of weeks 🎧✨🙂
What could you do today to foster more courage? What holds you back from facing your fears? Have you ever lost so much (like me) that all you had left was courage?
I guess my first step is going to rehab. After that I'll have a clear mind, and i won't be so reliant on him (he provides my Xanax) then maybe I can start building my life up again.. get out of the house, get a job, get some money.. and then maybe everything will change and I’ll be able to get away from him if I still need to. Or maybe he will change too once he sees that I am. But in the past when I’ve made strides toward getting better, he has gotten abusive. He likes it when I’m sick. He wants me to need him.
This is the first time I’m naming my true fears. It feels.. scary but.. I’m glad I know what my true problem is. I’ve lied to myself for so long.. and I believed him when he told me so many lies… lies that slowly took everything away from me.. my whole life is in his hands.
But not anymore. ✊🏻
“With courage face the things you fear, so the pawn becomes the queen”
💖
Naming your fears is another great step. Then you can address them. It’s good to get your life back in your own hands, and it sounds like you have ideas how to do this.
Are you familiar with the concept of co-dependant relationships? It is worth googling this, as yours sounds like it is one, where he depends on your dependency. As well as rehab or while you get there, you could see if there is a support group in your area. Good luck Sean! 👊🏻
I love the idea of it being a compass redirection. Good luck with your latest leap, wherever it lands you! 🧡
I too love a courage compass
https://quietcourage.substack.com/p/the-be-braver-introductory-workbook
Thank you so much 🙏 Im in an abusive relationship.. it has lead me to spending the past six years abusing xanax and unable to leave the house, severe depression and anxiety, and so much shame it kills me. Just yesterday I said to my mom, I don’t have any fight left in me… he has drained me of everything.
I hope I can figure out how to do this, but courage is absolutely the first step.. my life has been stagnant, just as you wrote.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart 🙏❤️
Sorry to read this Sean. Often when we’ve fallen into multilayered difficulties we need a step by step process to get out of it. Building courage is a good place to start. ✨
Yes, it’s going to be a very long and difficult road, but courage is exactly what I need.
This is giving me chills because your post has awakened me to remember my truth. To remember who I used to be.
And it’s even more impactful because my nephew asked me to make him a painting of a Norse mythology bear for his birthday, which we are celebrating tonight.
And he doesn’t know it but, that is the spirit animal that has been calling to me recently, showing up in my dreams and shamanic journeys, but I didn’t know why.
You made me remember.
The first healing ceremony that ever I offered to a group was called: Awakening the bear. I incorporated plants and different things associated with bear medicine, and painted a bear claw on my arm. It was so beautiful.. it was for the spring equinox. All about awakening.
My nephew asking for this means so much more than he realizes. This is my spirit animal calling to me once again. I need to get out of hibernation and take back my life.
Maybe I will paint that claw on my arm again tonight… and I will tell him this story. Just like the Norse pagans told their stories, sitting around the fire, with their animal companions, the bear. (Literally, they had pet bears lol)
This is so beautiful! What a wonderful spirit animal. Maybe you could do some writing too, journal about that bear. Everything you see in the bear is a part of you. Imagine the bear being you in your life now, and imagine what they would do. Let them guide you forward. (though really, it is all a part of you. You may not have been connecting with the bear qualities and wisdom enough until now!) 🐻 Your nephew has awakened something for you here, and it feels like a gift.
Oh my goodness one of my favorite artists, Tamara Laporte just posted a photo of her newest painting.. Guess what it is. Lol crazy
That's a wonderful idea!!! Thank you so so much 🙏
Sounds like the right time to address all this Sean! 👊🏻🐻🤎
Sometimes life feels way too difficult and we want to shrink from it. I have also lost too much and am, at this point I'm my life, living on courage and hoping my recent leap will work in my favor. One step at a time.
My heart goes out to you in support. I know this; We are meant to thrive. These low places can provide the foundation from which we can push into a greater, more fulfilling life. It's just a redirection at first, a compass adjustment. And then a step or two and we're on our way.
I wish you strength, courage and joy on your new journey.
Good luck with your leap Cynthia. I love the idea of it all being a compass adjustment. And I wish you strength, courage and joy too! ✨🧡✨
Lovely. Having children living with disabilities has given me a courage I didn't know I had
Thank you Donna. We often grow stronger when we are forced to face difficult things, I was the same after my losses in life 🙏🏻
I’m needing courage right now to invoice a big design job that I did for my old company. We didn’t agree on a price up front, because the head boss always blows the initial scope of work. So now I have to invoice and it’s scary.
I’m going to use your steps and finally do it today. Wish me luck!!
Do it. 👊🏻 You deserve to get paid properly. Did you ever read Playing Big by Tara Mohr? Great book and she covers this stuff somewhere. ✨
I sent it yesterday! And he approved it this morning! 🎉
Courage and self compassion are the keys to tackling big change. Good luck with yours, Kate. I share a few of your challenges!
Thanks Lisa, that’s the dream combination. Good luck to you too! 💁♀️
Thank you for sharing this! It's a great reminder and clarifier
I am 53 - my daughter also just started university (which is wonderful and exciting!), my husband just retired this year, and I face chronic and progressive health issues. I am excited and optimistic about this time in my life to embrace change, but also am floundering because there are so many options, and it's a little bit scary! Although, I've been known to make big leaps in the past, I've never been this age before. I think I know what I want to do, it's now a matter of just gathering up the strength (courage) and commitment to do it!
We have to adapt with age don’t we, as our landscape changes. Health changes have been a big one for me to navigate, having been so healthy all my life. Good luck with it Keila, and to your daughter. 🧡
This post is brilliant Kate 👍 I'm sorry to hear you're going through some challenging times 😔 It's often the hardest thing to take one's own advice.. but you have it all there within you.. you WILL find your way ❤️ Big hugs 🤗 P.s. So excited for more fabulous guided meditations.. yay! 🎉 x
Thanks Eva, I just had so much less time and energy to spend here though I don’t think anyone noticed! Oh good! I hope to start the meditations again in the next couple of weeks 🎧✨🙂
No rush.. don’t put any added pressure on yourself ❤️ Your publication is wonderful and valuable just as it is 🤗
Onwards with courage!