Bonds are Forged Through Courage

Look in the mirror with the prowess of a lion and the curiosity of a cat.

What do I see when I look in the mirror? Not just the image in the mirror I see, but how I feel each day. These experiences shifted my perspective and how it engages integral depths to my soul. As humans, we are many layers. Each layer we unfold from our outer shell, there is something more unveiled.

What can we discover is truth or false about ourselves? Is it as clear as day or as dark as night? I believe it is bits of both if it was all bright skies, warm days, and a gentle breeze. And then there is the dim light skin of the full moon, dampness in the air, and a gust of wind surging back and forth pushing back at you.

What is even going on right now? Just think about it. A sign is out there, waiting for you to discover it. But then again, do your thoughts leave you more concerned than confident?

If this is the case, then it is time to reassess.

Confidence can be tested by concern. It helps keep you centered and focused on what is in front of you, rather than getting carried away with needless past and future worries. Finding this balance defines us. Gives us everlasting purpose. Without it, we are fondling away our lack of control.

Take control of your situation.

Allowing anyone else to hold onto it is not a force of courage but submission to lack confidence in yourself. When all else fails, where should your attention revert to? Thoughts are seamlessly playing through your head like a violin solo in front of a crowded theatre. There is no room to slip on a note. It has to go perfectly, but does it?

What we tell ourselves is half the battle.

How can we relinquish these thoughts even when we are in a flow state? It isn't easy. It takes a neverending supply of willpower and conviction for you to summon your strength to make it happen.

Are they steps we can take to boost our confidence and make us as fierce as a lion roaming in the savannah? There are always suggestions you can take. But this is not a how-to guide on being successful within life. Take the time to focus on what gives you the courage you need to define the odds.

State Your Why

Everyone has said this on here and in every self-improvement book, podcast, or show. But this is where we need to start, ladies and gentlemen. Down at the ground level or the rooftop, depending on how you are viewing this. To each their own.

• Set a goal.
• Layout your plan.
• Create steps to this plan.
• Check-in with yourself each week.

A basic framework, as I suggested, gives you the foundation to living more courageously with purpose while also dipping into your curiosity.

Relieve Your Thoughts

You are not your thoughts. You are just the observer of them. When we distinguish the difference between this, self-doubt can escape our mind for just a moment to make a move. Admittedly, I struggle with this myself. Second-guessing every time I break courageously outside of my “comfort zone.” Not a fan of this phrase as it is already limiting ourselves what we can and cannot do. This is likely within reason, though, I believe.

How-to break outside your “comfort zone” is simple and challenging — let go. Yes, break free from the expectation of it going well or disaster wrong. I promise you would feel better that you did not second guess jumping off that cliff or saying no to work on an additional project for work.

Say Yes To Yourself

Obligations come up with work, family, and friends that you have to surrender your time to make them feel good. When was the last time you have made the same choice for yourself? What else have you been putting on the back burner?

These second-guess consume our thoughts from the previous point. Once we accept our own lives and choices are our own, then we can move forward with the mindset of a champion.

Turning down someone’s invitation may feel wrong as you do not want to cause any friction. But this choice could be what you need to live a full life of possibilities.

Feel Your Feelings

Successful people live in a world of ego. The term ego gets a bad reputation, but it is meant to clarify our self-worth. Also, what the Mark Zuckerberg's and Elon Musk’s of the world know when they have driven themselves too far. Knowing how to live with what you are feeling is courageous.

If you have not listened to Jay Shetty's On Purpose, I highly suggest you do so. He talks about three topics in particular: career, relationships, and self. All of these revolve around sub-topics, and some of my favorites have to deal with feelings.

Harness your feelings and have your world open up to you.

If you feel sad, frustrated, angered, or happy, lean into it nonjudgmental. Living in the moment by experiencing your feelings does wonder your overall psyche.

Know You’re Not Alone

Someone you know has been where you are and can help you. We never think about this as a positive, but it is. Always remembering that leaning on someone is expecting to receive encouragement or support. It is all according to what you need at the time you need it. Your friends and loved ones will be there for you.

When your original thought process was: Why is this happening to me?

Then change it to: Who else has this happened to?

The beliefs we hold matter more than what we believe they do. It is within this that bonds are made with lifelong friends and romantic partners.

Think about the last time you had a real in-depth conversation with someone close to you. How did it go? Did you find something the both of you had in common? Probably. And how did it make you feel finding this out? Emotions may range.

Take inventory. You are not alone.

In Conclusion

Time has come to recognize what is most important for you in your life.

Choose your route from the following:

1. State Your Why. Prepare yourself with a reason to get motivated.
2. Relieve Your Thoughts. Let them flow out instead of bottling them up.
3. Say Yes to Yourself. Life is too short to keep yourself on the backburner.
4. Feel Your Feelings. Know yourself for exactly who you are and find balance in this space.
5. Know You’re Not Alone. Whenever you feel doubt, look towards someone else for support.