Courage

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”

Brené Brown

The First Push of the Publish Button

A few years ago, I created my own website as a home for my writing—somewhere other than the notebooks and loose pages piling up on my desk. I remember sitting there with trembling hands and a leg bouncing like an impatient metronome.

My fingers hovered, frozen, above an imaginary flashing publish button. Heavy thoughts crowded in: would my words ever be good enough?

In that moment, I realized courage isn’t always a battlefield roar— it’s often a whisper we follow in ordinary life.

Courage as Quiet Persistence

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Today, I understand a deeper meaning of courage: the quiet act of putting one foot in front of the other. It’s pushing aside the distractions that try to steer us away from what we truly believe—that we are, in fact, enough.

Courage is refusing to retreat into standards set by anyone but ourselves. It’s accepting that the strength of your mind will always matter more than the weight your arms can carry.

Age, Vulnerability, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Age is not just a number—it’s the sum of countless paths and journeys that brought us here. Courage is believing that what you have to give still matters, even if it doesn’t meet someone else’s expectations.

There’s vulnerability in the words we share. Words are our voice: they connect us to everything and everyone around us. They can be loved or loathed—but they are how we show up.

When we choose to share what we feel, we’re pushing that flashing publish button again. I try hard to speak from my heart and soul. Sometimes I miss. Sometimes my words and actions are moving in opposite directions. But there is profound courage in leaning into our weakness and sharing anyway.

Beginner’s Mind and Presence

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

E. E. Cummings

Beginner’s mind swims in a pool of humility. It’s not just about approaching new creative adventures with an I-have-so-much-to-learn attitude. It’s also how we see the world and its people—starting on page one, chapter one, no matter how many chapters are behind us.

We can’t outrun life. Presence and acceptance are steps on the stairway of courage. Moving forward and upward takes resilience and persistence.

Creating Space for Growth

Quieting distractions means having the courage to set boundaries against things that drain your energy or don’t align with your values.

Creating a special space with intention fosters growth. It’s never too late—it’s always right on time.

Small Acts, Lasting Currents

The day I first pushed publish, I was sure half the world had paused to laugh at me. I felt exposed and far from my comfort zone.

Now, I laugh at me too—and it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m not here to be heard; I’m here to share. I have no expectations. I will always be vulnerable, and I will always keep moving forward.

In the end, these small, unforced acts of courage become part of a quiet current that keeps the world moving toward the light.

Maybe courage is nothing more than showing up—over and over again—with an open heart.

Talk soon…

G