Living with Courage
I believe living a life of purpose begins and ends with courage. It takes courage to open up and face your truth, to be honest with yourself.
There are many hindrances and roadblocks along the path of purposeful living. In my own life, the biggest has been fear. The fear of showing vulnerability. The fear of being judged. The fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of being alone, fear of the unknown, and uncertainty. There was fear everywhere I turned. Until one day, I just got sick and tired of living in fear.
In a conversation about some of the world’s great revolutions with a friend who grew up in Russia, the point was made that one of the conclusions an oppressed people must come to is they “just can’t live this way anymore.” This is the point at which the pain of being oppressed becomes greater than the pain of facing fear. Fear is an oppressive bully and thief. The way to conquer it is to face it with confidence and courage. The feeling comes over you that something has got to change, and it has to change now! Perhaps, you’ve known this feeling.
I have concluded (and of course you must arrive at your own) that no one, no situation, no experience, is going to deter me from living the rest of my life on what I believe is the course of my PURPOSE. Eventually, one way or another, I will die. But, in the process of living, I am the one responsible for identifying, connecting to, and living my own purposeful life. To live any other way would be to not live fully.
What courage do I need to call on? I summon my courage to let go of perceived past wrongs, regrets, hurts. Things that are done are done. I look and live forward. I let go of blaming and anger, release jealousy, envy, and any feelings of scarcity, helplessness, or hopelessness. I’m continually building and healing myself. It takes courage to accept responsibility for my success and happiness. The courage to live on purpose. The courage to be real. The courage to be me.
You decide when you’re ready to move to the next step in your purposeful evolution. Look around. You’ll find a book, a friend, a coach, a spiritual guide, or a teacher to help you uncover your true connection to yourself, your truth, and your purpose. Maybe, you’ll even be that friend, guide, or teacher for someone else, which will be part of your journey.
I am truly grateful for others who showed me through books, stories, and in the way they live their life that I can live on purpose and be happy. The key ingredient, as I’ve learned, is Courage.
As always, thanks for hanging out.
Live some. Lovesome. Learn some. Everyday.
C…
