Courage to act – Courage to be you
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Reading time: 3 – 5 minutes
Studies shows that people fear public speaking more than death. That means that most people at a funeral would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy. ~ quoted widely on the Internet to different sources
I am always struck by the range of emotions I feel when I am speaking in front of the room at a workshop—how scary it is for me before I start, how much I love connecting with the audience during the workshop, and how inspired I am afterwards to do it again. I think that’s because there’s so much at stake. I feel both excited to share my message and vulnerable about how my message will be received.
Whether or not you are in front of an audience, it takes courage to speak what’s in your heart. Following are two passages that have inspired me to set aside my fear and muster the courage to stretch for my dreams. As you read the passages, notice what comes up for you around playing BIG in the world.
Courage. Even the sound of the word has a bold strength to it. Courage comes from the French word for heart: Coeur. When we think of heart, we picture feelings like love, joy, peace, tenderness and even sadness. We don’t picture acts of boldness coming from the heart, but they do. The heart is our center, our core, and the source of our courage. Courage is not a lack of fear, but a determination to push past the fear to act on our convictions – to act from the heart. In The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion bemoans his lack of courage. As we watch the events unfold, the Lion takes courageous actions, even putting his life at risk to save his friend, Dorothy. Courage asks us to face our fears and keep on going.
It takes courage to follow your heart, to commit to your own deepest desires. The powers that influence you (society, parents, bosses, organizations) often convince you to become anyone but who you are. When this occurs, you know at a deep level that you are not in sync with yourself. It doesn’t feel right. You know something is lacking. You want more or you want something different. There’s no joy in life. It takes courage to step out of the conformity box, throw off others’ expectations and be true to your purpose, your values, your gifts. You are unique, one of a kind. The world needs you to give what is truly you! Courageous people have learned to listen to and trust their inner voice. They have learned that facing their fears and acting authentically, even risking failure, is the path to personal growth, success and fulfillment. Take heart. Have the courage to act and the courage to be you! ~ Cheryl McDonnell is a Co-Active Coach in West Chicago. Contact her at cheryl@up.net
Wow! That really gets my juices flowing. Here’s a quote by Marianne Williamson that says it in another way.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Here are two questions for you to ponder. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment box.
