The Courage To Be You!

By Jo Anne White, PhD © 2009

It’s really not possible to be anyone else, but sometimes we try to mimic someone we believe has it better, is more successful, happy or prosperous. We can’t really know what anyone is experiencing. The truth is that our lives are more successful when we pay attention to what moves us, how we feel, think and behave and to what is unique about us. When that happens, our lives are more on track. Best of all, we feel more alive and powerful.

There’s much joy when we have the courage to live life on our own terms. We are freed of the shackles of mediocrity and of a dreary existence. Instead, we are tuned inward to the wonderful melody of our hearts and souls. Listen closely, and you can bring that melody out into the world for others to enjoy.

1. Act in Accord with Your Values:

You need to tell yourself the truth about what you think and feel and what interests you and gives you a sense of purpose. To do that, you must first know what your values and beliefs are. Don’t be timid about acting in line with your values. Your character is strengthened when you do. You also gain more confidence in you to forge ahead and face other challenges.

2. Use Your Voice:
Once you’ve gained the courage to know your truth, share it with others. Silence never helps you define who you are and doesn’t allow others to value the wonderful qualities that make you so special. If you worry how others will perceive what you have to say and what you stand for, consider the alte
ative. You live a life that doesn’t really feel right and is empty rather than overflowing with energy and enjoyment.

3. Believe in You:

Take the time to find out about you. Make it a lifetime mission to understand your special gifts and talents and develop them as best you can. You probably already know what these are. Now is the time to find out how to cultivate them. No matter what your mistakes have been or what your imperfections are, you owe it to yourself to believe in you and inwhat you have to offer. If you don’t, no one else will.

4. Build Confidence:

Building your self confidence is not always easy, especially if you’re used to learning what others think before you take action or make a decision. You have to decide what’s really important. How can another person truly know that? Be bold and take a step forward to defeat your fear. Each time, it gets a little easier.

5. Leaps of Faith:

Get familiar with stepping out of your comfort zone. That’s the biggest challenge to making a leap of faith. Once we do step out, we enter foreign territory. The Unknown can be scary, especially if you’re not used to taking risks. Often, we don’t think we’re ready because we don’t know what’s expected of us and there are no guarantees.

When did life ever offer you any guarantee? The best news is that the more often you step into the new zone, your confidence increases and you discover more about you. With new awareness and newfound courage, you are eager to take responsible risks and do so with more ease than ever before.

6. Live With Passion:
Passion is an inside job. We create passion for exte
al events, activities and the people in our lives and not the other way around. Know what gets you passion fired up and make sure that you include that in your life and not just in your mind. A passionate person is someone that others want to be around and befriend. A life that is passionate makes each day feel special and each moment worthwhile.