What Gives You Courage?
Published on 18 Sep 2007 at 12:22 pm.
21 Comments.
Filed under Courage Series, Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies, Spirituality & Inspiration.
What’s the bravest thing you ever did that you’re most proud of? What gave you courage to be brave then, that continues to give you courage today?
I’m always a bit surprised when I hear people talk about themselves and their lives. They mention challenges they’ve faced and overcome, decisions they’ve made, their personal experiences, interests, strengths, work they do within the context of telling their life story. So what surprises me? Often the accomplishments are mentioned casually and the person speaking fails to recognize their courage and bravery to face things and go the distance. They say things like, “What else could I do? I had to handle it. I’m a survivor. If I didn’t do…… then…….” All true.
So, what am I beating the drum about? I believe in owning and celebrating our triumphs in facing life’s challenges and personally evolving without minimizing and pooh-poohing our courage to stand strong. Showing up, being real, facing what you are creating and attracting takes guts and commitment - you betcha.
So, in today’s post, I am inviting fellow bloggers to join in on this meme: What’s the bravest thing you ever did that you’re most proud of? What gave you courage to be brave then, that continues to give you courage today?
You might identify more than one courageous thing in any area of your life, personally or professionally. Share ‘em and sing it out loud!
Wanna play?
Here’s how it works: (I’m copying some text from Edward Mill’s last challenge at Evolving Time)
1) Compose a new blog post describing an experience of courage.
2) At the top of the post let your readers know what you are doing and put a link back to this post.
3) Be sure to also put a link/trackback to the blogger who tagged you with the “What gives you courage” link in order to spread the link love.
4) Then let all of us know what you wrote so we can share in your success and be inspired by your story. I’ll include a master list of things that gives you all courage!
5) Encourage your readers to join the conversation by leaving a comment on your post.
6) Pick at least five other bloggers to “tag.” Ideally these are people whose answers you are truly interested in. Include a link to their blog and ask them to return the favor with a link to your site in their post.
I am tagging:
Lyman Reed at Creating A Better Life
Jenny and Erin at Jenny & Erin
Karen Lynch at Live The Power
Edward Mills at Evolving Times
Gleb Reys at Personal Development
Here’s one of mine:
About 10 years ago I took the plunge and bought my first house solo. It was the biggest purchase I ever made. My business was thriving and so I bought a new car and several other large ticket purchases. Inside of one year, my business dropped 40% which was a shock. Despite my small efforts to rebuild my business, things got worse financially and I became terrified. During this painful time of panic and despair, I was also able to see how powerfull this period was for me in my own personal transformation. I had never felt that degree of fear before!
Staying with the fear and pain helped me to deepen my spiritual faith, trust, and connection with God and myself, see the gifts this experience was offering me to personally evolve, find a greater strength inside of myself to keep my attitude positive so I could take actions to change my financial situation and career direction, triumph over fear so I could coach others to do the same, be proactive rather than destructive, and learn more about who I am. I saw myself as the Phoenix rising from the ashes. That is a metaphor that gave me courage then and continues to inspire me forward. I am grateful I created that experience because of the many blessings and gifts I received both during that period and in the years that have followed.
What gave (and gives) me courage?
- My trust and faith in God
- My trust and faith in myself
- Great friends and community of support
- My clients. Their courage inspires me.
- Using the energy from my anger positively to hold myself strong.
- My history of successes that show me I have the strength and spirit to land on my feet.
- My commitment to my ongoing journey of personal development and transformation.
- Knowing I am Source and the Creator of my experiences.
I can’t wait to read yours! 
Jenny on 19 Sep 2007 at 6:06 am: 1
Thank you for sharing your story. I’ll play.
Lyman Reed on 19 Sep 2007 at 6:59 am: 2
Thanks for thinking of me Lorraine. I remember the fear I felt buying my first home… and I also remember the fear I was living in as I was losing it. Courage is moving on despite the fear - “staying with it”, as you said.
It may take a bit, but I’ll have a post up for you as soon as I can.
lorraine on 19 Sep 2007 at 7:25 am: 3
Great Jenny,
I look forward to your post! I’m glad you’re playing.
Lyman,
It takes courage to face fear and do things we would rather avoid. I look forward to reading your post!
A Story of Courage in the Face of Adversity (Live The Power) on 27 Sep 2007 at 6:54 pm: 4
[...] friend Lorraine Cohen at Powerfull Living challenged me to write about what gives me Courage. I wrote back and asked if I could write about someone else’s courage. The inspiration to express [...]
Edward Mills on 2 Oct 2007 at 9:57 pm: 5
Hi Lorraine
Thanks for the tag. This is a great topic. Like Lyman, I’m in, it just may take a while for me to get caught up on my post back-log. I’ll let you know when I do.
lorraine on 2 Oct 2007 at 10:35 pm: 6
I’m delighted you said yes Edward,
I love your posts. They are so thoughtfull and inspiring. I recall in a recent comment article you mentioned being away for several days. I look forward to your article when you have it.
Warmly,
Lorraine
Jenny and Erin — a tongue-in-cheek quest for understanding… on 5 Oct 2007 at 9:25 am: 7
[...] Cohen at Powerful Living asked: What’s the bravest thing you ever did that you’re most proud of? What gave you courage [...]
lorraine on 5 Oct 2007 at 11:27 am: 8
I couldn’t resist posting a comment on your blog too Jenny
I loved your post in response to my questions. Thank you so much for sharing your story and your heart.
I’m so glad to have met you!
Jason on 5 Oct 2007 at 2:17 pm: 9
I thought you might be interested in my post from today (found this link via Jenny), since it is about courage:
Courage Without Limit - The End Of Doubt And Fear
lorraine on 5 Oct 2007 at 2:34 pm: 10
Thanks for stopping by and adding the link to your post Jason
I have also found that in the absence of fear and doubt, you find faith.
Have a terrific weekend!
The Bravest Thing I’ve Done « Technology for Living on 10 Oct 2007 at 6:17 am: 11
[...] me to learn what the bravest thing I’ve ever done is. (Edit: It is part of the meme “What gives you courage?“. I neglected to put a link back to the original.) I had a bit of a problem trying to decide [...]
lorraine on 10 Oct 2007 at 8:17 am: 12
Thanks for the linkback John!
Warmly,
Lorraine
Sometimes there’s a fine line between bravery and foolishness… | The Winding Path on 10 Oct 2007 at 11:30 pm: 13
[...] Thing I’ve Done, as part of a request from Lorraine over at Powerful Living to tell everyone what gives us courage. I first encountered Lorraine’s request when Jenny wrote about the bravest thing she’s [...]
The Official Personal Growth Resource Roundup #1 - Evolving Times - The Law of Attraction Resource for Personal Growth on 13 Oct 2007 at 2:20 pm: 14
[...] and Alex have both tagged me with the What Gives You Courage meme started by Lorraine Cohen at Powerfull [...]
Courage on 21 Oct 2007 at 9:06 am: 15
[...] though I’ve been looking at this article for two weeks, ever since I got tagged in the courage meme by Aaron Potts. I’ve had a tough time with it. In many ways, I feel like the Cowardly Lion - [...]
Tracey "Word Doc" Dooley on 22 Oct 2007 at 4:33 am: 16
Thanks for inviting me to play via my blog, Lorraine. Consider me a player!
PS Loved your story. Especially the happy ending!
Feed the Courage and Do it Anyway « MarketingMoment.com on 22 Oct 2007 at 5:21 am: 17
[...] — worddocdooley @ 10:21am Tags: bloggers, courage, meme I’ve been tagged by blogger Lorraine Cohen to partake in the following [...]
lorraine on 22 Oct 2007 at 10:01 am: 18
Thanks for playing Tracey and for sharing your story!
How wonderful to learn, at a fairly early age of 18, that you are made of some good strong stuff that will help you overcome perceived mountains. Those stories are the reminders we need when we forget who we are.
Please tag a few others to play and link back to both of us, ok?
Cheers
Lorraine
Reiki Help Blog » Soul bravery on 1 Dec 2007 at 3:51 pm: 19
[...] Pamir Kiciman 2007 Read the original meme “What Gives You Courage?” by Lorraine Cohen Posted by admin @ 6:49 pm :: courage, divine, fear, grace, healing, [...]
What Gives You Courage? | Personal Development Blog on 12 Mar 2008 at 4:40 pm: 20
[...] Cohen from the Powerfull Living had invited me almost a month ago to participate in a meme called What Gives You Courage. I’m happy to finally participate. It’s a wonderful thought-provoking topic I would [...]
Jose Luz Silveira on 9 Jul 2008 at 8:19 am: 21
I GOD is my powerfull…and I think that you is very good personal.
My pleasure visit your blog.
Jose Luz Silveira
Brazil