49. Courage

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela (7/18/1918-12/5/2013)

In this life we are constantly confronted with circumstances and situations which fear seems to lead us away from where our hearts were carrying us.  I know in my own experience it was fear that stopped me from taking a chance or investing my time in something I felt drawn to do.  I do not believe that fear will ever leave me completely but I know that my reaction to fear will dictate what I leave the universe in my wake.

I think that courage and bravery can come in so many ways, luckily there have been some incredible examples that have walked the path of courage before us to show how truly strong we can be.  I know the feeling I get on the other side of a challenge or an obstacle is such a great uplifting experience yet it still takes faith to conquer the next opportunity in my path.

Today I intend to face one of my biggest fears by leaning on the experiences of my fellows and my faith that I am making the right choice in my life.  By making a conscious decision in this moment I believe I am setting forth the motion needed to follow through on my commitment.  When it is time I will choose bravery over weakness and faith over fear, knowing the results will be exactly the way they are supposed to be.  It takes lots of risks to learn the truth about fear, today I will grow in understanding and effectiveness.

Affirmation: In this moment I choose courage over fear!!!

Call To Action:  I s there something in your life that you know inside yourself that you need to conquer?  Why not make today the day that you choose courage over fear?  The more courageous choices we make the better suited we will be to face the certain challenges ahead, today is the day to put in some practice and tell us how it goes so that we can all grow through each others experiences.

Day 21 – Saturday Nov. 9, 2013

Freedom!

Today I am extremely grateful for my freedom. I took part in a training today that was required to volunteer at a detention center. I was very glad and humbled that I was able to leave at the end, when many do not have that choice.

I realize my gratitude for freedom also comes with a certain level of responsibility. How can I allow the Universe or Divine Guidance to help me to use my gift of freedom today to help others? Thank you Life for the life I enjoy today. I challenge you to find something in your life that you are grateful for, that everyone might not enjoy the same thing, and use that something to help others.

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________

Day 15 – Sunday Nov. 3, 2013

I am Thankful for a Divine Guidance!!!

Our ability to choose rightly is always based on the information we have at our disposal.  When we get good information, we can make good choices.

Today I make choices based on the direction of divine guidance.  With Faith, I have access to infinite wisdom and knowledge.  As I ask to be guided in every situation, I make great choices for my life and my world.

I am illuminated by divine guidance, and I make the best choices!!!

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________

Day 14 – Saturday Nov. 2, 2013

I am thankful for this moment!!!

Life is so busy that I could use an extra hour each day!  In reality, the simplest way to make time expand for me is to appreciate and enjoy the present moment.

If, at any time I feel rushed today, I’ll simply close my eyes and say, “Thank you Life for this moment.”  Time has an elastic quality to it.  I know that fear, worry and apprehension have a way of making time condense, while appreciation and enjoyment help time expand.

Thank you Life for this and every moment, and for all the time I need to do what is mine to do.

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________

Day 13 – Friday Nov. 1, 2013

What Is:  I am Thankful for the Way It Is!!!

Today I give thanks for “the way it is.”  I let go of the need for life to be better or different.  I believe in the power of the universe.  I believe that as the world turns my life will continue on flowing and if I stop trying to make it the way I think it should be the better and better things get.

My soul is great enough to accept life the way it is, without any changes.  

Thank you life for this miracle I am living in!!!

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________

Day 12 – Thursday Oct. 31, 2013

Mystery:  I am Thankful for Mystery!!!

Do I know what is going to happen today?  Do I know if all of my plans are going to occur the way they are in my mind?  The answer is “No; I really don’t know what is going to happen today.”  It can be very frightening or exciting to experience the mystery of every new day.

Today I acknowledge that the universe is in charge of my life, and I can trust the world to bless me in ways that are beyond my expectation.  I am thankful for unexpected good.  I am thankful for the mysteries of life.  I am thankful that I don’t need to know what is going to happen next.

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________

Day 11 – Wednesday Oct. 30, 2013

Character:  I am Thankful for Character!!!

Today I stand for what I believe.  Because I value my reputation, I refrain from gossiping about another’s.  Because I value my own possessions, I refrain from taking even a paper clip that does not belong to me.  Because I believe in Honesty, I speak with loving honesty towards others.  Because I enjoy the help of others, I’m the first to offer my assistance.

Character is being able to consistently stand for what I believe.  When I can stand for my beliefs in the little situations of my life, it becomes easier to stand for the difficult ones.  Today I give thanks that I am building a life of character through every action I take.

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________

Day 10 – Tuesday Oct. 29, 2013

Nature: I am Thankful for Nature!!!

Nature can be a powerful reminder of the activity of God.  In the movement of the sky, the changing of the seasons, or in the beauty of a sunset, I can see God at work.  Even when nature seems dormant, there is still activity going on to prepare for the new life that will come in the spring.

Today I will spend some time in nature.  T may go for a walk and see movement of nature all around me, and take time to truly appreciate the power of nature.  Today I will stop to recognize that the same Spirit of God that moves through nature moves through me.

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________

Day 9 – Monday Oct. 28, 2013

People: I am Thankful for people!!!

What would our world be like without people?  It is hard to imagine living without the people I love and on whom I depend.  What would it be like not to have the people who entertain, inspire, educate and even annoy me from time to time?

Today I simply say, “Thank you life, for everyone.”  Today I thank the world for strangers, co-workers, loved ones, people on whom I depend, and even people who annoy me.  As I give thanks, I realize that each person is truly a blessing.

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________

Day 8 – Sunday Oct. 27, 2013

Forgiveness:  I am thankful for the power to forgive!!!

Today I celebrate the power to forgive.  Today everyone is forgiven for everything they have ever done.  Through the power of thankful living, I realize how incredibly blessed  I am, so I want to give a gift to the world.  My gift is that everyone is forgiven.  No matter what they have done, I forgive them.  As I give the gift of forgiveness, I am set free.

Forgiveness also applies to me.  I am forgiven for everything thing that I have done that has harmed another.  I am forgiven for every little thing and every big thing.  Today, I celebrate forgiveness and I am set free.

Daily Gratitude list
1. I am grateful for _______________
2. I am grateful for _______________
3. I am grateful for _______________
4. I am grateful for _______________
5. I am grateful for _______________