Finding Courage for Phase Next

In the picutre above I had four minutes in front of 1,000+ peers to share a story of one moment that changed my life. Scary? Heck yes. Worth swallowing the fear? Oh yeah.

“Help, I am having a midlife crisis,” read the message. Since it was sent by someone not quite thirty I suggested perhaps it was only a 1/3 of life crisis. (Probably not the support they were seeking). From my perspective of over-30 he is fortunate with more lifetime to make the changes and take the leaps of faith required for change. I am also confident he can grow in any direction he chooses because what I appreciate most is how self-aware, brave and willing to be vulnerable he is. He had already taken the first step – saying it out loud. It was a good mindset for me to approach a Virtual Table discussing Courage with Kim of Innosensi and Luciana this week. They have managed to blend community, openness and engagement of senses – over a Zoom – in a way that is inspiring. Music setting a tone, food and beverage described, mindfully focusing on the topic, and open dialogue in a safe space all contribute to time well spent.

It started with how courage is defined. A quality shown by soneome who decides to do something difficult or dangerous even if they are afraid. How do we find our heart (our ‘cour’ in courage) to face down our fears, stay true to ourselves and our values – particularly in a time where we feel like we are sbalancing on shifting sand every day.

The cave you fear to enter contains the treasure you seek. Joseph Campbell (Thanks for the quote Lucy! Above I am rappelling 80′ into a cave, scared of heights and the idea of falling. It was worth it.)

Finding courage. Is it a roar or a whisper? Is it breaking the silence you are choking on? Do you have something to say or do you believe others won’t approve of? Does following your own path mean you may disappoint someone? Do you have to let go of a fear of other’s expectations – or your perception of their expectations? It can easily paralyze us. Moving past anxiety is one of the hardest things each of us does as we move forward in life, one step, one decision at a time.

For many this time has forced us to find courage as our expectations of jobs, family, support systems including health and government have all shifted.

Potential. Released. Many of us have been working at Mach One where momentum is the key to the game. The pause-lurch-go-pause of this time is very hard mentally, emotionally, physically. As the Lion in the Wizard of Oz taught us, finding courage requires time and effort, and inward focus and mindfulness that leads us to understand and believe in ourselves, our abilities, our power. It is finding moments. Take time to appreciate where you are, what you have, who you are and what you bring to the world. Notice how the idea of change makes you feel (anxious, excited, insert your own feeling – and know that feeling is not final) and know this: You will make a change when the pain of staying where you are is greater than the potential pain of change. Recognize where you want to break through to and the fears associated with that. This takes honest self-assessment and often outside support – and asking for this comes with its own set of fears. What if ________? is the hardest question but it is a great place to start. I believe you can do it.