Courage

“You’ve always had the power dear, you just had to learn it for yourself”

Glinda – The Wizard of Oz

Today, one of my best friends sent me a blog post by Caroline Myss called Three Popular Ways of Avoiding Powerful Guidance.  It was a powerful message – one that I needed to hear.  I’m sure my friend knew that and that’s why she sent it to me.  Myss states “this guidance is instantly recognizable because it’s impossible to repress sensations of discomfort, anxiety, the rush of excitement, or the passion that arises when you connect to genuine inspirations. The sensations that start churning in your gut simply won’t stop. Powerful guidance demands action.”

For me, the thought of taking action causes fear.  For years I experienced that aching deep inside that needed my attention.  Do what you were meant to do.  Write.  My Mom told me that when I was in 7th grade. My readers, other writers, family and friends encourage me every day.  Yet, some days, I question myself.  Am I? Should I? What if I fail?  Then I say to myself:  “I will only fail if I don’t do.  If I don’t do, I don’t have courage. If I don’t have courage, I give in to my fear.”  Failing is inaction and not listening to the “powerful guidance” within.

Caroline Myss said: “Courage is something that will never enter you through prayer. Only action brings courage.”  Courage.  I looked up its definition.  It is “the ability to do something that frightens one.”  If you follow my blog, you’ll notice I like to include a featured image on every post.  In search of an image representative of the word “courage”, the quote above from Glinda, the Good Witch, from The Wizard of Oz popped up.  Substitute “power” with “courage”, you’ll find the message remains the same. Qualities we already possess.

The Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man of The Wizard of Oz represent our lack of courage to listen to our powerful guidance. The Lion believed himself a coward.  Yet, he demonstrated bravery on numerous occasions.  The Scarecrow wished for a brain.  He was crowned the ruler of Emerald City because of his intelligence.  The Tin Man searched for his heart even though he was the most compassionate and caring character. Many of us have a Dorothy in our lives.  She is the unintentional liberator who encourages us to listen and take action.

Dorothy’s friendship and support of the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion enabled them to overcome their fears so they could find the courage to follow their “powerful guidance”.  In doing so, Dorothy is has unlocked qualities that she already possessed.  She needed to conquer her fears and find her own courage. This acknowledgment of and action upon her “powerful guidance” enabled her to return home to Kansas.

My hope and wish for each of you is that you, too, have a Dorothy. A friend who supports you. A friend who helps you to acknowledge that you need to listen and take action against your fears which will give you the courage to follow your own “powerful guidance”.

Home is knowing.

Knowing your mind.

Knowing your heart.

Knowing your courage.

If we know ourselves,

We are always home,

anywhere.

Glinda – The Wizard of Oz