In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Courage

I had planned on starting out the year with a post in regards to New Years resolutions and my hopes for this brand new year. It seems when I plan on doing something, life has a way of happening and interrupting my plans. I had not planned for 2008 to end the way it did nor did I plan for the first week of 2009 to be so tough. My life is full of interruptions and I have pretty much resigned myself to believing that these interruptions are just a part of my life. Thus the name of my blog. I never planned on being where I am at right now yet I believe I am where I am meant to be.


Fragrant Liar(formerly Nana Diaries) did this Embracing 2009 post on picking a word for this year and I have racked my brain to think of words that would be fitting for me, for this new year. Thistle did this post about taking baby steps by breaking her resolutions or goals for 2009 down into months, which is another great idea. In some way, I would like to combine the two idea’s.

The word that keeps coming back to me is courage. So I looked up the meaning and this is what I found. Courage; mental or moral strength to endure, persevere, and withstand danger, opposition, fear or difficulty, to have the courage of one’s convictions, to act in accordance with one’s belief, especially in spite of criticism…a firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or difficulty. The word “fortitude” was used to describe passive courage, and described as being able to encounter danger and endure pain with an unbroken spirit and strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage.


Courage…my word for 2009. Courage to stand behind the decisions I’ve made surrounding raising these two little people. Courage to keep loving them, even though I may not always have them. Courage to face evil and not waver under it’s wrath. Courage to stand up for what is right, and true.


Courage to face my pain and the realities it holds for my life. Courage to face my limitations and not give up because of them. Courage to find a new way instead of living defeated. Courage to take the next step in the area of work, even if it means getting a new job…the courage to do something new, different and better. Courage to do those things my heart desires to do, even if I am afraid of failure. Courage to say yes, when I mean yes, and no, when I mean no. Courage to take risks. Risks that might mean mistakes or failures.


Courage to stand up for myself and what I believe. Courage to step out of my comfort zone in the many area’s of my life. Courage to keep choosing the path of love and grace. Courage to keep moving towards healing and not wallowing in self pity. Courage to face circumstances that are beyond my control with dignity and grace, by either walking away or standing up to them. Courage to continue letting go of my children … not hanging on to these incredible people that need to be free to fly on their own. Courage to let go of those things that need to be put to rest.


Courage to keep choosing love over hate. Courage to continue choosing forgiveness over bitter resentment, even in the face of pure evil. Even more, the courage to forgive myself. Courage to start saying no to old shame and false guilt. Courage to admit when am angry and not run from it or stuff it inside. Courage to let others do for me and the courage to ask for help. Courage to face my fears, both real and imagined. Courage to remain resilient in the eye of the storm.


Courage to live true to myself…courage to live authentically, even if it means I am not making “everyone” happy. I think part of being authentic is living or walking your talk and I am guilty of giving it out to everyone but myself, so having the courage to live what I say. Courage to look at myself in the mirror and accept those things I cannot change and the courage to change those things that honestly need to be changed, because it will make me healthier and better. Courage to step outside the box and live outloud. Courage to not be defined by my age, past or how others think I should be or confined by what or who I think I should be. I want the courage to be me all of the time.


I’m not sure how this will all play out over 2009. I don’t know what interruptions will find their way into my life but I do know that I will have courage to face them…one day at a time, one moment at a time and even if it means taking baby steps, courage will get me through the small interruptions that tend to fill my days or the unexpected big interruptions that try to kick my ass and everything else that falls in between. I am embracing courage in 2009!


What word or phrase would you pick for yourself?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

This might be the best post i've seen yet on the living in 2009. Hope you don't mind but i will probably keep coming back to read it periodically cos that's what i need to remember also. Altho my life situation is different from many women of my vintage...and some seem to envy my 'independence'...it also carries some inherent negatives...negatives that need real courage to deal with sometimes.

Great post...very inspiring. As always, thanks for your heartfelt honesty.

Anonymous said...

Excellent post.

"Perseverance" for me this year.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love this. Courage! What a great concept....I need this in my life too.
I can't pick just one word for me....."being happy as me" is my thought for the year!!!!
I hope 2009 gets better for you....hugs, suz

Anonymous said...

"Keep on keepin' on."

And one of my favs from Dr. Phil who said this to me about 2 inches from my nose, "Kathy, this is not a pity party. Build a bridge and get over it !"

I Am Woody said...

Words to live by, my friend! I need courage too.

Bookworm said...

It takes courage to be courageous. Really. And it's not always easy. Good for you!! :)

Anonymous said...

Excellent post. And courage displayed by posting it.

Fragrant Liar said...

Courage is an awesome word for you. It's actually fitting not only for 2009, but for your entire life. I salute your courage, friend.

Warmly,
KJ
http://fragrantliar.blogspot.com

Tricia said...

Great post, Lori. And, I love your chosen word and all that it stand for in your life.

I'm not sure what my word wold be, maybe Determined.

Anonymous said...

confidence might be my word for 2009. Confidence in myself, happy with who I am, confidence to do what I want, to say no to somethings and yes to others, confidence to believe in myself and my opinion, confidence not to be dictated to by others.

Courage is a good one. I hope you have the courage to get all you want out of 2009!

Anonymous said...

Courage is exactly right for you as I've seen you display it more and more. One of your many qualities I admire so much.

I think my word would be " " Well, it seems I'll have to get back to you on this one.

Anonymous said...

I agree with thistle that this may be the best post seen on living in 2009. You are an eloquent writer and I am deeply touched by this post.

I need a few more days to come up with my word... although "Yikes and Dammit" came to mind right away.

Pseudo said...

Great post Lori. Courage is a great word and you wrote so well defining what you mean. I'm with thistle, I will probably keep coming back for reminders.

Jason, as himself said...

I did this as well, but I haven't been able to put together a fitting post for it.

My word, however, is RELEASE. There are so many things that I need to let go of for my own good, and to a degree, for the good of those that surround me.

RELEASE.

Stepping said...

Lori, you are the most courageous woman I know and I am sure that as you dance through 2009 you will find all kinds of new courage you never dreamed you were capable of.
I took Nana's challenge and my word is "Healthy".

Anonymous said...

Courage is a great word - if I had to pick one for me ith would be patience.

thanks for opening up as you have, it is so great to hear the truth from people sometimes.