It Takes Courage

Last Saturday, Broadside's company had a gathering. They always throw a nice party and I love talking with his co-workers.  They are great group of creative, funny and intelligent people.  One of his co-workers asked me what I had been up to.  I listed off my projects, among was my creativity coaching.  He asked me what was the one thing a person needs in order to express themselves creatively?  Good question.  One of those that made me stop a minute and gather myself.  In coaching we would call it a "Powerful question."  Many things flooded into my mind.  What came out of my mouth was one word.  "Courage."  He looked a bit startled.  I went on to explain my answer.
See, I feel it takes courage to acknowledge that we want to express ourselves in creatively.  It takes courage to put our creativity out into the world. It takes courage to keep on expressing ourselves and creating no matter what.  It takes courage to say "shut up!" and shut the door on the negativity and negative voices we hear and often focus on.  Once we have found and mustered our courage, then we can gather what we need to create.  A person who is willing to express themselves creatively is a courageous person.  They maybe a lot of other things, but at the core they have courage and are strong.
So, what is courage?  For me, it is my ability to face what I'm most afraid of and push forward.  Move past my fears.  It is saying, "Get out my way!" The the voices of Can't and Negativity.  It is listening to my intuition, and knowing I can do it.
It is very easy to just sit back.  Not move.  Not realize the fullness of our lives.  Our purpose.  To allow fear and negativity to rule us.  It is so easy.  Yet there is strength  and power in courage.  Taking courageous steps in our lives, whatever they may be for you and only you.  That's courage.
Hum...maybe that's why the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite characters.  As I write this I think of the song he sings in the movie, he longs for courage (and discovers he had in him all along.)
"Courage! What makes a King out of a slave?
Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave?
Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk, in the misty mist or the dusky dusk?
What makes the muskrat guard his musk?
Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder?
Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder?
Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? "

If you were going to take one step of courage this week (however small or large it may be) what would it be?
Until next week...create to feel great.

13 projects complete! 39 to go!

Of course Mr. Gus had to give a try as well!
 He likes his leopard print as well- just don't tell anyone.

This week's project... a new hammock cover for Mrs. Mickeygrrrl.   A friend gave her this about 13 years ago.  It is one of her favorite spots in the house.  Her old cover was really worn out and not supporting her.  She's loving the new look.  Girl loves her leopard print.