Embracing My Courage

 I know I am strong. I have emerged from some serious ‘dark nights of the soul’ with new insights and realizations. The instrument that is me has been honed by trial and tempered by fire. And here’s an important point: I’m no different, no better than anyone else in this regard. Part of gaining any kind of emotional maturity is in the recognition of the universality of this fact. 

But still. But still it is worthy and valuable to think about the challenges I’ve faced or been thrust into, and how I have integrated the lessons into my understanding of my life. My ego has been broken like a thrown egg, taped back together and pronounced good as new. It doesn’t have the tensile strength of an intact egg; it has shown me that I can embrace it in its place, treat it gently, and understand that it isn’t a representation of rugged individuality. It is rather a tender facet of who I am, of who I understand myself to be.

My courage is like the tape holding the shell together. It is a gift of Spirit, a love note from my Creator letting me remember that It is the Source of all courage. It is mine to use. It is the adhesive of the heart, the glue of co-creation of a new or renewed Me.

I am the sum of all my experiences. Some experiences have been superb, and some have been ghastly, but all have allowed me to grow in this human experience. All have contributed to the whole of who I am and how I operate.

Today, I am especially grateful for the gift of courage. It is always available to me—all I need to do is say a quick prayer (“help”), take a deep breath, and dive in head-first.