[The following is a reprint of my blog of February 20, 2012.]
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.
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.
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