Courage

This week's blog is from my book, Oms from the Heart. If you enjoy this devotional, you can find my book available for sale online.

Whew ... courage, what a word.  I was told by one of my amazing teachers once that the word courage actually radiates the highest vibration when it comes to connecting with the Divine.  That blew me away.  One of the most powerful virtues, she said.  Because it creates.  It creates the next thing based on your decision to make a decision that best suits your development, if you are present that is.

It doesn’t mean you will make the “right” decision … it just means you will make one based on your heart perhaps and not the inner workings of your mind. 

I believe courage happens in every moment.  It happens when you leap forward into something that is unfamiliar.  It happens when you relax in the familiar.  It happens when you speak your mind and when you listen.  It happens when you move forward and when you let go.  It happens when you stand strong and when you open up to vulnerability. 

Courage happens every moment of every day. Are you present to how courageous you are? 

I was home with my oldest daughter this week so I had a lot of time to think.  I couldn’t focus on creating a whole lot while she had a fever so high that it made my skin crawl.  So I had a ton of time to think about courage. 

And of course I was offered a multitude of opportunities to stand in courage.  The thoughts started out as a pity party to be honest.  “Oh my God it takes courage to be a mom!”  You know, pretending that you’re not scared when you really are.  “Keeping it all together” when really you’re scared shitless… literally.  Then it went to, “I’m falling into fear here, I have to call in for back up”, meaning I called upon my lovely women friends who have the power to heal.  And my other women friends who could help me out a bit. 

Reaching out takes courage you know. 

The moment I reached out, I re-membered that it takes courage to be a parent, not just a mom.  And then immediately, almost before that thought ended, I re-membered that it takes courage just to love.  To love.

Courage to love.

What a concept.  Yes … that is the courage of all courage. 

To love what? 

Another person.  To trust them with your heart. 

Your child.  They will leave you, you know.  They will go off and do their thing despite your dreams for them, they will do their own thing. 

Yourself.  Yes, it takes a huge amount of courage to stand in the mirror and love what you see.  All of it, not just the good parts.

Your ex-partner.  (or someone else who may trigger you) Gotta love them too.  They taught you something AND you loved them… a lot at one point.

Courage to love … to love it all and move with a grace and ease that is palpable.  To step out on a limb without knowing what is going to happen.  To put your heart out there not knowing how or if it will be received. 

Courage to be present …

Yes .. to be present to it all.  To SEE it all from the view of your heart.  To WITNESS it all with breath and a knowledge that nothing is yours except your heart and your reaction to life and love.

Now, got get ‘em!

Image courtesy of Nicole Howe and Gaiam.