Why do some people manage to act despite their fears and doubts, and others become paralyzed by them? The answer is courage: that magical quality that turns rocks into stepping stones, and obstacles into opportunities.
For me, courage starts with accepting what is there before me, rather than blaming it or playing victim to it. It comes from acknowledging, then putting aside those fears and doubts that are associated with the ego and the mind.
My courage comes from trusting that every one and everything that presents itself in my life comes so that one of my natural gifts and talents may emerge and develop. From that trust, comes the self-confidence to plan my course and follow it.
Even more than that, though, my courage comes from a willingness to stay connected with my heart. I tune in to the core of who I am, the real me who is filled with love and light and passion for who I am and how I express it. I focus on the enjoyment of the process before me and leave the outcome up to the God and the Universe. At that point, I am unstoppable.
What works for you? Here are some quotes that may stimulate or inspire you:
It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.(Seneca)
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. (John Wayne)
You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to loose sight of the shore. (Christopher Columbus)
A ship stays safe in the harbour, but that is not what ships are meant for. (John A Shedd)
You don’t drown by falling in water; you only drown if you stay there. (Zig Ziglar)
Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dared to win. (Bernadette Devlin)
To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself. (Soren Kierkegaard)
Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit. (Baltasar Gracian)
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. (Plato)
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. (James Bryant Conant)
About the Author:
Dr. Arlene Taveroff uses inspiring photographs and words to help you open your eyes and heart to your inner wisdom. She is co-founder of Wisdom a la Carte. Use her free photo eCards at http://bit.ly/4CyC8M
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