Recently I reviewed a 2013 Oprah interview with Maya Angelou in which Angelou emphasized that courage is the most important of the virtues. It takes courage to practice all the others and live a virtuous life. Courage comes from the Latin cor, which means heart. In one of its earliest forms, courage meant “To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.” Living life courageously is living from a place of love and compassion. It takes courage to be kind rather than cruel, to be generous rather than possessive. Courage helps us be brave and strong and to keep faith against all odds.
In 2019 I prayed, chanted and affirmed for transformation and manifestation in my life. While I I’ve not brought all my 2019 goals to fruition there was transformation happening within and around me throughout the year. My health has improved. I’ve let go of some of my own annoying habits – to me, anyway – such as my addiction to cable news. This is actually a big one so I give myself kudos for that! I’ve started new practices, such as Authentic Movement, which is a powerful practice for self-awareness through the re-discovery of how the body wishes to move, or not! I’ve joined another meditation group called Attunement, a healing circle which meets monthly to practice energy medicine. My autobiography is coming along with the addition of a few more chapters and I even took a playwriting course, beginning to translate my life’s story into a musical! I’ve kept all projects alive, but haven’t brought any one thing to completion.
Reflecting upon all of this I decided on “Courage” as my personal theme for 2020. I will pray, chant and affirm to be courageous and start bringing my goals to completion. As I approach the beginning of my eighth decade I’m feeling an urgency. It’s really “shit or get off the pot” time. The realization that I have less time ahead of me than behind is sobering. My bucket list is now prioritized, listing things that are most dear to me at the top. I ask myself, “When are you going to do what you really want to do? What are you waiting for? Act now. Act as if…”
I will call upon courage from the depth of my being to be brave, to speak my truth and move forward boldly living my dreams and telling my story.
