Joseph Campbell wrote: "We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." It's safe to say that over the last year we've all gained a bit of experience in letting go of the things we had planned. We've learned new ways of "doing" and new ways of "being". As we begin the process of moving about in the world again, we are invited to do so by stepping out of what has been to stepping up with confidence, courage and a bit of bravery.
In reality, we've been brave since the time we took our first breath. From learning to cry and speak up for what we needed, to learning how to crawl, walk and run! We have been trailblazing this thing called life with the courage to try new things, getting them wrong and trying again until we succeed. Think back to something you didn't know how to do a year or two ago that today is easy for you to accomplish. Did it seem like an impossible task in the beginning? Did you feel like you'd never quite get the hang of it...until you did? Sometimes it helps to remember our "I did it" moments, especially when we are faced with something new that seems out of our reach.
“We all need more
backbone and less
wishbone. There is
something which waits
only for our recognition
to spring into being,
bringing with it all the
Power in the Universe.”
Ernest Holmes
Our Spiritual teaching reminds us that there is a Power in the Universe and we can use it. In reality we use it all the time, yet it may take us a little while to recognize how we are using it. Life doesn't come with a "how to" manual. Much of what we learn and experience is done through trial and error, or repetition. The statement in the photo above is a great reminder that we can celebrate the small things in life that require us to be brave and courageous. In fact it helps to celebrate our accomplishments, to notice and be grateful for the things we've overcome and learned from. It's another part of the process of building self confidence.
Sometimes we are so busy going forward to the next thing, that we forget to look back to all the ways is which we have grown and all the things we have learned along the way. We may limit ourselves from trying something new out of fear, yet if we look back we'll likely see that we have overcome and conquered fears plenty of times.
What if you turned your fears into a motivator? You could step into, though and beyond them with faith and confidence.
“I learned that courage
was not the absence of
fear, but the triumph
over it.” Nelson
Mandela
Take some time this next week to reflect on all the ways in which you have grown over the last year or last several years. Make a list of 10 things you've learned in you life so far. Start small - keep it personal to you and then add to it as more things come to mind.
You could also start a new list of things you haven't yet tried or always wanted to do but hesitated trying out of fear. Come up with 3 or 4 action steps you can take to overcome your fear and move in the direction of your dreams.
Life is an adventure awaiting you to jump in and enjoy it. Love all the the moments. The ones that challenge us often bring the greatest lessons. The ones that bring accomplishment encourage us to be even more bold and brave. The ones that bring peace and joy remind us that we are blessed beyond measure. YaY Life!
Affirmations:
I am confident in my beliefs, courageous
in my actions, and brave in my heart.
I am a unique and creative expression of Source energy itself.
I
am a miracle capable of miracles!
I am courageous. I am confident. I am Brave!
Meditations/Mindfulness:
Mindfulness practices are short meditations that help our minds center so we can focus more clearly.
Mindful minute - Raindrops
Music:Courage - (for younger children) From Hero25
Bruno Mars with Sesame Street - Don't Give up
Books:
The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony
After the Fall - How Humpty Dumpty got back up again. By Dan Santat
Henry's Box of Freedom - A true story from the underground railroad by Ellen Levine Art by Kadir Nelson
Creativity:
This week try a new form of art that you've never tried before. It could be working with modeling clay, or painting with melted crayons, or making your own salt dough. Do a little research and find something that looks fun, may challenge you a bit, but give it a try anyway.
Have a wonderful week stepping into your Brave, Courageous, Confident Self!
(Special thanks to Randalyn Hill, Brett Jordan and Oliver Cole on Unsplash.com)
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