COURAGE....4

10 Ways to Develop Everyday Courage

                          - Katherine Martin

1. Be true to your values and principles

Know who you are below the surface and be true to your authentic self. Don't hold back. Don't compromise what you know is right. Be diligent and disciplined. Even when no one's looking, don't fudge.

2. Stand up for yourself and for others

Speak out. Reach out. Step up. As Gandhi said, be the change you wish to see in the world. Be your own best champion. Champion others. Take everyday stands for justice.

3. Make choices, lots of them, and be responsible

Don't wait for someone else to step in. Take charge yourself. Act. Make fundamental choices, be responsible for them, and swear off blame.

4. Harness your fears

Don't be afraid to be afraid. Look at your fear head on, what is it telling you? Where does it come from? What's the worst case? How can you use fear rather than being used by it? Turn it into an ally.

5. Express yourself, give voice to your full-bodied self

Claim your emotions, both "positive" and "negative," without judgment. Use them as fuel.

6. Be willing to change and know what will stop you

Become familiar with your negative ego, your inner critics, the part of you that objects to your becoming more, that will sabotage what you're doing. Where will that lead you? What will you get out of pretending to be small? Go looking for that part of you, so that you can anticipate what might stop you and be proactive.

7. Embrace your imperfections

Mistakes and defeats are bound to happen, and it's okay. Be curious about them, grab hold of them. They present you with wonderful opportunities to learn about yourself. Don't let those opportunities slip by. Don't dilute them with judgments about yourself. Instead, what can you learn?

8. Be nervous

Regularly, do something that makes you nervous, that stretches you into more of who you truly are and can be. Don't wait to be on your A-Game.

9. Pursue deep challenges, be restless

Don't dabble. Too much of life awaits. Engage your life
passionately.

10. Connect with something greater than yourself, the divine

Forge your courage in service.

Make a difference

Make your life matter

Laugh often and have fun