Every man has his own courage, but is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
I remember many years ago when I was learning who I am that I would pretend to be someone I considered to be brave when I felt I needed to stand up for myself. It sometimes worked, as in, I got what I felt I needed, but it never worked in my feeling particularly good about myself. In fact, it worked exactly opposite of the way I wanted…I wanted to become as brave as the person I was imitating, but I always had a niggling feeling underneath that I had lost what little bravery I had…that I should have been able to speak from my own guts. Which painful feeling gave me the gift of coming to believe that God has my back.
I speak for myself today. I rarely find it necessary to “stand up for myself.” I know this is the result of no longer living in my attack mind…my thoughts may go on the attack, but I can pull them back by a simple “thank you.”
If that fails, I just find the funny in the whole situation. There is always funny…and it is usually me, thinking I’m right.
Thank you.
I remember many years ago when I was learning who I am that I would pretend to be someone I considered to be brave when I felt I needed to stand up for myself. It sometimes worked, as in, I got what I felt I needed, but it never worked in my feeling particularly good about myself. In fact, it worked exactly opposite of the way I wanted…I wanted to become as brave as the person I was imitating, but I always had a niggling feeling underneath that I had lost what little bravery I had…that I should have been able to speak from my own guts. Which painful feeling gave me the gift of coming to believe that God has my back.
I speak for myself today. I rarely find it necessary to “stand up for myself.” I know this is the result of no longer living in my attack mind…my thoughts may go on the attack, but I can pull them back by a simple “thank you.”
If that fails, I just find the funny in the whole situation. There is always funny…and it is usually me, thinking I’m right.
Thank you.
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