After rereading Christine Kane's "66 Ways to Build Your Courage"(http://christinekane.com/66-ways-to-build-your-courage/), I circled the points I thought I could tackle and I made up my own list. I circled 22 points but only 17 made it to my official list:
Question — assumptions. I jump to a lot of conclusions when what I really need to do is sit back, watch, listen and question before I think I know what I'm assuming.
Stop — making excuses. Making excuses is a waste of time and energy. I need to take on a Nike attitude and "Just Do It!"
Look — into people's eyes. Looking into people's eyes means putting down all distractions, seeking face-to-face contact verses all of the electronic gadgetry and simply being still while someone is talking.
Play — more music, less TV, more play. I used to feel more playful when I danced when no one was watching and sang when the music was loud.
Ask — for "less working Saturdays.” I can ask for what I need and hope if my requests are reasonable, a fair and equitable response will be forthcoming. I must stop bemoaning what I hope for, if I do not make my wishes known.
Act — more, worry less. I need to stop thinking and start doing. Take away all of my excuses and I have no reason not to simply act on what I think is a good and necessary idea.
Listen — more, talk less. The best way to a good and meaningful conversation is to be interested and less worried about being interesting.
Invite — family/friends over. Or out on "adventures,” or for coffee. My world has become small and comfortable. Comfortable is nice but it may not be in my best interests to live this way all of the time.
Make — a business card for myself. If I was to squeeze all of my saleable qualities onto a 3.5" by 2" business card, what would it say? The idea of condensing my biography onto a business card makes me think I would focus on my strong points.
Write — a fan letter to someone who is not famous. Sounds like a wonderful way to honour a person who least expected it. I'm in!
Write — wake up at 5 a.m. and write. I've been there, done that and stopped doing it. I need to restart that practice.
Write — a novel in a month. I came up with the idea of collecting memories and stories of Mmom's family and had them all compiled in book form and ready to publish within three months. Those three months changed me, changed my life and created a book I am so grateful we all have today.
Hire — a physical trainer. I can hire a person to advise what is in my best interests but it is still up to "me" to follow through on their suggestions.
Hire — someone to do something I hate doing. Been there, done that, can't afford to do it again anytime soon.
Sign up — for a retreat. I know what I need to do the most is unplug from everything electronic for an extended period. That doesn't cost a penny and it would offer me the best retreat I could hope for.
Rid myself — of everything that is not an absolute "Yes!"
Impossible things — tackle the big, ugly jobs 15 minutes at a time. One of those jobs being ridding myself of everything that is not an absolute "Yes!"
What I am seeing here, is "building courage" isn't done in a day. It is a step-by-step, piece-by-piece process where you take one step forward and build on it as you go along. The key is to build a foundation of asking for what you need, replacing negative habits with better ones and keep working at it. When you are standing on solid ground, it is easier to feel courageous enough to take a chance and be brave with your life.
I have done very little, but my thought processes are starting to change. I know I have to keep up the work as I go along. I have become too complacent and stopped living my life. The saddest part of that statement is I really didn't care. I want to care again. I want to step outside my comfort zone and show up for life.
When I talk with people, I want to sparkle and shine from the inside out. Though wearing a sparkly new top my sister gave me did the trick last night, I want the sparkle to come from my eyes, my voice and my demeanor. I'm keeping the shirt though. It reminded me of the person I used to be when I felt just as bright and shiny within.
Take a courageous step today. Find something you love to wear and wear it. Look someone in the eye and listen to them. Learn from them. Look up and out of where you are. Look to where you want to go. Enjoy the voyage. I believe "courage" is a little bit like a trip. It is not the destination, it is the journey that is the memorable piece of that puzzle.
