Courage

Never lose sight of your courage for it is this that will carry you in times of darkness. ~ACN

There is hardly one amongst us that does not as some stage in our lives have a difficult time. Whether this is due to illness, death, financial, work, relationship problems or any other means, it is really not of importance. The point is it happens whether we want to acknowledge it or not. How we react to the problem is what is of importance.

Obviously, we should endeavor to ensure that we continue to maintain a positive stance, no matter the experience we are enduring. In saying this, the realization is there, in that it may be extremely difficult for you to remain positive. Yet, should we take a backwards step away from the situation, we will surely find that there is a door through which positivity can flow if only we allow it to do so.

There are certainly many exercises one can partake in which will certainly raise your vibration amongst which are daily positive affirmations such as “I am in a good place”, “the Universe provides me with all that I need” or “everything is as it should be at this time” to name just a few. We can also find something cheerful in each day allowing it to bring us joy or we can turn up the volume full blast to the hippest, liveliest song and dance as if no one is watching. We can take a walk and just be in the moment or we can turn to meditation and allow the voice of our Divine to bring us to a peaceful state.

Even as we do this, we may still find that our circumstance stays as it for a while longer. It is in this time that we need to reach deep within our beings and bring forth the courage that lies there. Courage; such a small word, yet it is courage that provides us with such an incredible strength in our times of darkness. We all have courage. We all have the ability to face a difficult situation without being overcome by fear and we certainly are able to pursue a course of action without deflecting from it. It is our courage that enables us to face a situation head on, to focus intently on the solution and to bring forth the tenacity within us that will enable us to see us through the journey to the conclusion of the issue where we can then calmly and with self-love regroup and acknowledge what it is that we have learned from and through the experience.

It takes a person of great wisdom to acknowledge and accept that through each obstacle that we face, we need only step back for a moment and summons the courage that lies within drawing strength from it and facing the challenge head on.

Many of us will crawl into that dark place and will almost enjoy the “poor me” feelings that we have. Others of us will stand up and face the challenge head on using every tool that we have to succeed and grow from the experience.

Which one will you be? The tortoise that withdraws into its shell and allows fear to determine your destiny or will you be the one that stands tall and faces, as a warrior would, that which you know is surmountable. Will you be the one who becomes the victim of a life knock or will you be the one who draws on your courage and emerges the victor?

All it takes is a healthy dose of courage, a positive attitude, a vision of a successful outcome and the wisdom to know that through this experience you will most certainly be in a position to celebrate the result having learned from it and finally, from a place of inner peace, be able to let it go.

May you have the courage in plentitude to face whatever your life issues are and emerge from them a greater and wiser soul for the experience.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://baterya.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/courage1.jpg

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

Permission is granted to share this article freely on the condition that the author is credited.

To Fear or Not to Fear

Fear of living is more destructive than any man made war. See the lilies fade and die one tiny cell at a time just because it will not raise its head to see the sun shine on this new day...~ ACN.

Fear! The dictionary describes fear as an unpleasant feeling of anxiety or apprehension caused by the presence or anticipation of danger. Fear is that piercing feeling we get in the pits of our stomachs when danger approaches and is the alarm within us that tells us to either stand and fight or flee. It can force us to take action or it can make us hide.

Yet fear is not altogether a bad thing. Used in the right way, fear will motivate us into making changes in our lives that will both serve and benefit us.

When we allow fear to consume us, we prohibit ourselves from really living our lives. Now “living” does not mean that we have to go out and party continuously, running through life and missing half of what is there. No, “living” means to actually appreciate each second of your experience. It means, feeling the pain, crying the tears, screaming in frustration or basking in delight of the moment, cherishing the feelings, the laughter, the joy, the love that comes from the moment. To live without fear is to be in the moment, as it happens, fully experiencing it, being in gratitude for it and then letting it go.

When we allow fear to enshroud us, we do ourselves such a disservice. We prevent ourselves from experiencing all the good that the Universe has to offer us. We miss things like the glorious sunrise on a summer’s day or the little miracles that happen minute by minute. We lower our heads and stare steadfastly at the ground missing all that surrounds us. We retreat into our shells shutting out the world around us. We lose our sense of humor, we miss on the joy that surrounds us and we lose our ability to be free in the moment. By living in a state of fear we may as well shackle our feet and hands, and pretend to be blind, deaf and mute, for this is exactly how greatly living in fear can harm us.

Certainly there have been experiences in each of our lives that lead us to believe that we should be in a state of fear. Yet there is none amongst us who have had a life of complete misery, a life where nothing good happens. Even those of us who have the toughest of lives are still able to find joy in the little things that surround us for we are all beings of love and are all fully able to rise above the dire circumstances that may surround us at a point in time.

Dress yourself in a coat of courage and take the first step in living with light and laughter in your life. Allow love to stream in to you and be blessed in the knowledge that you have been given the tools to experience a life filled with love. It is none other than love that will and can surmount fear. Each day, as you continue to push aside the fears that bind you and replace it with things that bring you joy, you will find that fears diminishes bit by bit and that love, joy, compassion and peace fulfill its place.

Do yourself a favor today… take a chance on you! Set your fears aside. Raise your head just as the lily does and face each day as it comes, allowing yourself to really live and experience each moment in a state of absolute love.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://christianityandtheconfusion.blogharbor.com/Fear/fear%202.gif

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

Permission is granted to share this article freely on the condition that the author is credited.

Are You Willing to Take a Chance on Love?

Every day is a new opportunity to open your heart to love. Allow yourself to give and receive love as you journey through your life. ~ ACN

So often we go through life without taking a chance on love. We have bad experiences in past relationships and carry our hurt with us, hauling it around as if it were a great big rock upon our backs. We lock ourselves up, not daring to peep through the window, lest someone sees us and invites us to share their world. In effect we spend our lives hiding, unwilling to step outside of our comfort zone and take a risk.

Why do we do this? In one little four lettered word: Fear!

Yes, fear drives us to do the most ridiculous things to ourselves. As we allow fear to take control of our lives, our emotions, our courage and our hearts, we drive ourselves deeper and deeper into a situation where eventually we find that we are just not able to claw our way out. In fact, being in fear creates within ourselves the ability to self sabotage our happiness.

But think about this; should we have the courage, not only can we find compassion for ourselves but we will find love. Our Creator made us in absolute all consuming unconditional love, giving us the same divine ability to love not only ourselves but those around us.

We were also created to share our lives with others. Now this does not mean, giving everything you own to another. It does not mean roll over and give your entire life. No, it simply means having the ability to open your heart and allow others in just as you open your heart and allow yourself to touch the heart of others.

Imagine your love as delightful little strawberries in cellophane packaging. You can see how delicious they look, you imagine how yummy they may taste, and you can almost smell their sweetness. Yet if you never open the packaging, and take the chance of eating one, you will never experience the pleasure of them and you will deny your little taste buds the pleasure of savoring them as you eat them. It is the same with love; unless you open yourself to the experience you will never know just how great it can be to share your love and to receive the love of another.

Stop making excuses. You are very lovable. You are the beauty that your Divine created you to be. Look into your inner being and see the beautiful soul that you are. You are love.

When love knocks on your door, have the courage to stand up and take ownership of it. You so deserve the love that abounds in the Universe. Rome was not built in a day and it takes much introspection and acceptance of self to realize that you are worthy and deserving of love. As you would with a relationship with another, know that it may sometimes be a slow process. All that you are and can be is within you if only you allow yourself to soften your heart and see it. Listen not to the naysayers and harbingers of the world for it is only their own perception of what love is. Listen to your own inner guidance, your gut feeling on what the potential for a good relationship can be. Simply surrender and allow love to take you where you must be. Celebrate as you enjoy the sensations that love will bring into your life. Feel the butterflies in your tummy, feel your heart racing, feel and see the world as it opens up to you in the giving and receiving of love.

May your life be filled with wondrous joy as you journey ahead in the state of love.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://www.aspieweb.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/aspergers-love.jpg

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

Permission is granted to share this article freely on the condition that the author is credited.