Courage

30 July 2013 This is coming to you early this week - the weather hasn't been quite so good here in  Cornwall so I have been doing more writing and less gardening. Also, I have been  composing the monthly Dare to Blossom Newsletter for August and I thought it might  be good if they did not both arrive with you at the same time. When I drew  this card I decided, as I often do, to look up 'Courage' in the on-line dictionary. I knew there was an association with the word for heart in a number of languages from Latin onwards. The first definition was the current use of the word: "The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger,  pain, etc., without fear; bravery." From my reading about people who have been praised for their courage or bravery, almost every one would say that they felt fear aplenty, but they just did what they had to do anyway. The second definitions is given thus:. "Obsolete . the heart as the source of emotion." I suppose this meaning may be 'obsolete' in the dictionary sense, but my feeling is that courage is following the heart's conviction, acknowledging emotions and using them as the motivational fuel that moves us forward. Courage is needed in many circumstances: the cases where a person is responding to danger or a threat to themselves or to others; and also the quiet courage to discover what is truly in your heart and to follow that path to becoming more and more of your true self. 'Courage' seems to be encouraging me not to delay, to follow my heart and allow my own unique and individual way of sharing and, yes, just being Mary, to be available to others. I am beginning to rediscover, remember, the universal truth that just by being the best I can be in any situation (even if that is sometimes a tired, irritable, disheveled sort of 'best') - just being that 'best' is how I can serve others in this world we all share. And each of us doing that (perhaps I should say being that?) spreads joy, peace, awareness, compassion, all those qualities that we know in our hearts have the power to make the world a better place. Those who have the courage, in their own way, whether on a global stage or in their own homes to do this each contribute. I am reminded here of the Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai who recently gave a speech continuing her campaign for the right of girls (and everyone) to education despite her experience of being shot and nearly killed by the Taliban. Whatever your views of the politics or religious views involved, (and there is a whole spectrum of these expressed in the comments below the YouTube video), her courage is undeniable, as is the impact she has had on the world. Other people have the quiet courage that cares for a sick child, or an elderly relative, day after day, with no end in sight. Or the courage that fights to learn skills and ways of making a living for themselves and their family in countries with no welfare state and few opportunities. (I support the Kiva scheme that organises micro-finance loans for people in these circumstances). So, having side-tracked myself a little from my intention for these musings, of showing how one person can use these cards as a daily source of inspiration, back to the here and now. This little card with a big, big word - as they all are I am finding! - upon it: 'Courage' in those white letters on the dark blue background - what message does it bring for me this week? The dark blue feels strong, reliable, and calm. Those are qualities I would like to have with me to face anything that comes my way in life. Small irritations or large dramas. It reminds me to stop and breathe, to call on the courage and strength inside me and available all around if I remember to ask for support and guidance. I feel I'd like to add this photograph, taken in my garden one summer. The deep blue of the sky chimes with me as a representation of 'Courage'. The depth and intensity of the blue, combined with the ephemeral nature of the clouds feels like a reminder to look up, and outside myself, to the glory of nature and the eternity of space and the universe. I am laughing now - just sitting down to finish this to send to you I decided to play some of Lucinda Drayton's music (I will be at her event at the Olive Grove Bistro on Thursday evening). I chose Pale Green Angel from the album 'You', and one of the lines is 'If you don't have the courage, ask for it.. ..' - and I had forgotten that! Thank you for sharing this thinking space with me. If you would like your own set of cards just click on the picture of the 'Courage' card above and you will be directed to the page to order them. Until next time, with love, Mary