COURAGE MONTH: DAY 29: “Everyone has talent. What’s rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads.” ― Erica Jong
Doing what we are called to do is not a popular way of life in our culture. You will look different and be okay with that. Your life will not follow a prescribed path that makes sense to others, and you will learn to let go of their expectations of you or their approval.
Doing this with love and lack of defiant asshole-ness is my challenge. I live a life very different from what others would have me live. I do not comply with their needs for me to be who they want me to be. I am quite happy without the things that our social environment rewards us with and for being what is “socially acceptable.”
I once considered myself a rebel. Today I consider myself to be rebel, but with a cause. My cause is peace and healing. I am not always gentle and soft, that is not how I survived my life. So, in being with myself, I am learning to be more gentle and soft. That takes courage, because it is uncomfortable.
In learning to be gentle and soft, I come up against people who believe that is something to take advantage of. Then I often return to fierceness, but it must be fierceness with a softer edge. This is the new challenge. I am better every day.
The dark places do not really exist, except in my own mind. That is the longest journey of all; from my mind into my heart. Always been that way. I am pretty sure I always will be.
To temper that belief that there are dark places, the only remedy is to carry a big light. It is like spelunking into my own psyche. The scariest and darkest caves ever! This is the courageous journey of healing. And I have had so many great teachers; some kind and some real assholes!
Today I am being reminded to gentle and soften myself again. This is great! And my resistance is not what it once was. No longer totally defiant, I can do it. And the courage comes only from my experience and wisdom of the ways life has unfolded thus far.
The benefit of years in recovery is the knowledge that there is little to fight; and little worth fighting for.
There is only me and you, and I can soften to allow you and allow me. That is, again, how we are walking each other home. I guess this is the theme for the end of courage month.
Letting go of harsh judgment is the key, the biggest key. I am grateful it is on my ring of keys. Peace!
Dolphin Hug 