Where will you be showing your courage?

Welcome to Courage week!

Tamara had this to say about her inspiration photo this week: “Natasha is again my inspiration.
She learned to swim this summer and took to the cannonball as soon as she could!
Even being a new swimmer she had such confidence.
It’s an act of courage on my part too, letting her go and trying not to micro manage her in regards to the ‘deep end.’ :)”

And in a reprise (see the original posting here) January says:

I am so proud of you
by January Handl

What courage it takes
to come to these bodies-
What focused willingness
to pass into birth
to the unknowing and unexpected
twists and turns,
intersections and connections,
mountains and valleys
that we travel to
become ourselves.

What heroism it takes to
begin again and again
to wrestle with desire and addiction
fear and frustrations
mistakes, mishaps and woundings,
to face ourselves each day
to reach out toward another
to dare to hold goals and dreams
dear to our hearts,
to LOVE

What kind of trust and bravery it takes
to then let it all go
let it all go
let it all go
and turn toward the great mystery
of death

As a wave in the ocean
rides its great journey
across the vast expanses
to crash upon the shore,
and return to the source
from which it has never
been separate,
we are each
mighty heroes
on our way home.

Yes, we are each mighty heroes! So often when we consider the word courage we give it a lofty, perhaps unattainable status. Courage can certainly champion great things but there is bravery in little things too. Each day when we speak up when it was easier to not, when we drag ourselves out of bed to jobs and workouts and activities of our choosing or not we are displaying threads of courage.

COURAGE – the power or quality of dealing with or facing danger, fear, pain, etc; the confidence to act in accordance with one’s beliefs

Courage is for the big adventurous things but also the every day small. Anytime you take a chance, hope or reach for more you are working that courage muscle. The trick to leading a more courageous life is to practice when and where you are.

This week’s Bliss Initiative is to ask for more, to speak up, to try, to taste… to feel the tinge of trepidation and act anyway.

Where will you  be showing your courage?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tamara and January are here each Monday to help set the mood for the week!

Tamara Magnitsky

My mission is fulfilling a lifelong desire to be a creative professional making a positive difference in the lives of those I encounter. Photographing unique personalities in a fun and relaxed environment. To challenge myself creatively, listen deeply and take a damn good picture.
See Tamara’s photography on her Facebook Page.

 

 

January Handl

January Handl is first and always a mother, has been a preschool teacher and parent educator for 25 years. She is currently lives in Aptos California AND simply in awe of existence.

She calls her photo “hot tub bliss”  🙂