|
|
Excerpt from: My Story: Choosing to be Courageous
If I live to be 100, I will still remember ... Quite a few years ago, I went through a horribly painful divorce. Even though I divorced awhile ago, I can still recall how I felt during that time, especially the rejection and utter loneliness. And the ache. Worst of all was the ache. It felt so, so deep. My emotional anguish was unrelenting for the first few months. It didn’t matter whether I was awake or asleep. Often I would awaken in the middle of the night quivering. And I would suddenly realize, to my sorrow, why my body was trembling. It was difficult to face the divorce. I went through my days in a state of disbelief. I remember pleading silently once or twice an hour for at least the first year ... Someone, please tell me that this isn’t true! I also recall hiding in the shower and wailing (not just crying) in heart-wrenching pain over the death of my marriage. For such a long time, it seemed that all I could think about was how unfairly I was being treated, the injustice of life, and the pain that would not subside. And besides the searing pain, I was deeply worried about my future. Excerpt from: Section One
Do you stop prematurely with accomplishing a task because you are tired, discouraged or just plain worn out? “Why try?” you may say to yourself. “It won’t help anyway.” Do you feel that other people deserve the filet mignon of life, and you deserve the leftovers? Do you accept this life position without challenge? Stopping short, accepting defeat, produces incorrect assumptions on your part. For what you conclude may not really be what’s true or what should be. If you don’t give up too soon, you can discover that the outcome and your perception of the situation are quite different. Excerpt from: Section Two
Remain respectfully firm in an opinion you feel is right, even if someone tries to convince you to think or act differently. Regardless of what opinion you have or what topic you’re talking about, if you look long and hard enough, you can always find someone who agrees with you. But you can also find someone who disagrees with you too! Why then listen to others rather than yourself? Why value their opinions over your own? The more you doubt yourself, the more power their words can mistakenly have. When someone doesn’t understand a point you’re trying to make, that doesn’t mean that you’re wrong. And when someone gives you a good argument, that doesn’t automatically make their view more correct or worthwhile. It does, though, indicate that they’re good at arguing, but that may be all. Excerpt from: Section Three
PUSH yourself to stand up and speak in front of others despite nervousness. As you speak in front of others, notice the energy you absorb from your audience. This energy gives you a sense of power. When you’re able to forget yourself in front of your listeners, that is when your magic comes alive. Be aware that really knowing your material is a key factor in feeling at ease with your listeners. Do you realize that when you’re speaking, you are automatically looked upon as an authority on your subject matter? What if your comments will be unpopular? Tell yourself, “Okay, so I feel vulnerable, but SO WHAT?!” PUSH through those anxious feelings; don’t let them stop you. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
All content © 2003-2007 |
"Conscious Courage® is a must read for anyone who wants to truly experience fulfillment in their life. Maureen gently guides the reader through their greatest fears and obstacles by teaching the power of courage. It's a terrific resource for today's soul to turn to for guidance and support." -- Michelle Morris Spieker, Author of The Cherished Self | ||||||||||||||||||
