What did your courage look like this week?

The Courage Chronicles: Week 1 - Embracing Our Bravest Selves

This image really doesn’t have anything to do with courage, unless you consider it courageous for me to make a Fruity Pebbles cake. I just thought this shape the frosting made was pretty. ;)

Hey Uplifters!

Welcome to the first edition of our new weekly series, "The Courage Chronicles"! Each week, I'll be sharing 10 big and small courageous acts from my life, and I invite you to do the same. Why? Because courage is contagious, and the more we surround ourselves with brave people doing brave things, the braver we become.

Taking note of our own courage is like making a deposit in our personal courage capital account. It reminds us of all the good that comes from being our bravest, boldest selves. Plus, by looking at courage holistically across all areas of our lives - relationships, self-care, work, creative pursuits, and parenting - we multiply our bravery everywhere!

Here's my courage list for this week:

1. On Monday, I worked out on the main floor of my gym instead of hiding up on the level with the cushy mats. The gym makes me feel simultaneously strong and awkward, so it felt big to claim some space.

2. I returned to the track workout where I'm the slowest person by a mile. When the "I'm so slow, this is embarrassing" thought creeps in, I counter it with "How badass and lucky am I that I show up, work hard, and have all these people to help make me stronger and faster?" It's weird inner dialogue, but it really helps reframe the self-doubt.

3. I didn't listen to my "nice girl" inner voice telling me it was rude to say no to hiring someone highly recommended to help me on a big journey. Instead, I trusted my instincts, looked for more recommendations, and signed on with someone I can't wait to work with!

4. When asked to make a video for a segment on a TV show about women discussing pop culture, I initially shied away. I mean, who am I? I don’t have any opinions on this. After talking with my teen daughters, I realized I had lots to say. I showed my full, exuberant goofy joy in the video and sent it in. It felt so good, easy, and fun!

5. I acknowledged honestly to

   Kara Cutruzzula
   that I want more people to hear the amazing stories on The Uplifters Podcast. It's hard to say we want more in life, but until we do, we can't make a plan to make it happen. I'm now telling you right here, right now that I want to be a guest on 5 podcasts before the end of the year so I can connect with more people who want to hear these stories.

6. I like to move fast, but I committed to taking the extra time to do the hard, but rewarding work to re-edit my book proposal to make it significantly better, not just incrementally better. Not fully showing up for my dreams just makes me an obstacle to them becoming reality.

7. I reminded myself that not getting a response to a pitch doesn't mean no. It usually just means it's not a yes at this exact second in this exact way. (Important note: This doesn't apply when a woman says no to unwanted touch - that always means no!)

8. I asked for help more times than I can count.

9. I had a super beautiful, rewarding, and honest conversation with someone on the other end of the political divide. More here.

10. I committed to making a courage list every week for 8 weeks and sharing it with YOU, even though I'm scared it'll be overwhelming or I won't have time to finish what I started.

Whew! That felt good to reflect on and empowering to share.

Now it's your turn, Uplifters! What big and little acts of courage did you show this week? Reply to this email or, better yet, share in the comments. Let's inspire each other to keep pushing our boundaries and being our bravest selves.

How we do one thing is how we do everything. Your small acts of bravery ripple out and create waves of courage in all areas of your life, and in everyone around you.

Until next week, keep uplifting and stay courageous!

Aransas

P.S. I'm committing to this series for 8 weeks, but I'm also giving myself full permission to change my mind if I find out it doesn't fit. That's part of being courageous too!

Need a boost? Listen to Sue Pryde’s courage here.

Want more uplifting conversations and courage-boosting goodness? Join our Facebook group. We'll be lifting each other up all week long - it's like a 24/7 pep rally for your dreams!

P.P.S. Our listener survey is still open. It’ll take less than 5 minutes to complete and you’ll have a hand in shaping the future of The Uplifters Podcast and Substack.

P.P.P.S. I’ve been nominated for a Women in Podcasting Award! It would mean so much if you’d vote for The Uplifters.

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