Though it was not my conscious intention, there seems to be a progression unfolding through these first few posts of the New Year. The first week, the topic was hope and vision. The second week, it was our fundamental responsibility in life – to shine our light. As I sit down to write this week, the topic that presents itself is courage – finding the courage within ourselves, both as individuals and as a society, to summon hope, to go for the vision, and to shine our light. Finding the courage to live into our authentic power, strength, and presence so that we might make the full contribution to the world that we are here to make.
What it means to be courageous is different for every person. What seems easy to me may feel impossible to someone else. The daunting challenges that I see others stand up to every day may seem unfathomable to me. Comfort zones are very individual. We all have different strengths to develop and lessons to learn.
Therefore, the edge of courage is different for each of us. However, the experience of standing at the edge of courage is probably more the same for all of us than we acknowledge.
Many of us feel called to live in service of something greater than ourselves. We identify with a particular mission or purpose and are shown a vision of how that mission could be fulfilled. We identify with that particular calling because that’s where our greatest learning lies. Following the vision will take us out of our comfort zones and stretch us to grow beyond anything we could have ever imagined.
Author and speaker Charles Eisenstein says that being in service to something larger than ourselves is actually “the formula for stepping into the flow of synchronicity.” He goes on to say, “You don’t know how to get from here to there, but that thing larger than yourself does. And it arranges these synchronicities, being in the right place at the right time, being in flow.”
In other words, when you feel called to a mission and vision that serves something greater than yourself – a greater good – the vision will support you. It will show you each next step. It will ask you to show up in the world in particular ways and to take action to fulfill the mission by bringing the vision to reality.
Many steps will feel manageable. However, the moment may also come when you will be asked to do something bigger or be someone greater than ever before. For many people I speak with, that moment is now. Perhaps you are being asked to stand up in the world in a new way, to speak a truth, to leave a relationship, or to shine your light brightly into the darkness. On the surface, you may not feel ready. You don’t know how. You may just want to run.
And yet here you are, standing at the edge of courage. Deep in the heart of your being, you know you cannot run away.
The vision asks this of you because you are the one who is ready. You are the one with the particular innate knowledge and skill that is needed right now. You are the one that the vision needs to move forward. You are the one. The vision is asking you to stretch into the next evolution of you. If you weren’t ready, you wouldn’t be here. The time has come.
And so you breathe. And you summon every bit of who you are, and you breathe again. And you take the step. And somehow it works.
If you have read this far, then chances are there is a mission and vision that is calling out to you. It might feel too big or too scary, yet it won’t let go of you. It’s OK. Just breathe into it. Give yourself time to get used to the idea. And then when your heart stops pounding and your breathing gets easier, let the vision show itself to you. Let it tell you a story of what could be possible. Feel the energy and potential in it. Partner with it. What is it asking from you?
We are each here for a reason. When we align with that purpose, it shows us a vision. If we pay attention, the vision will show us a path to its manifestation. It will support us every step of the way. And it will challenge us. We don’t know where the edge of our courage is until suddenly we find ourselves there. Yet when we do, something greater will hold us and will not let us fall.
P.S. If you feel called to serve something greater than yourself and would like support in stewarding your vision to reality, personal coaching might be a next step. I coach many people who are committed to making a significant difference in the world. If coaching is something you would like to explore, send an email to schedule an exploratory session. Let’s talk about how we might work together to help you move forward. The world can’t afford for you to wait any longer.
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