Be Brave

"Do one thing every day that scares you" Eleanor Roosevelt

I recently heard about a blogger's challenge, inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt's words found on a greeting card in a local arts supplies store. This blogger vowed, after feeling moved and further reflecting on this quote, to do one thing every day that scared her. She received much response from this commitment and decided to name her quest: The Be Brave Project.

I was so intrigued by this project and also felt the shift in my spirit to challenge myself to take on this adventure. Will I do it everyday? Don't think so. But, I do think it's a worthy goal... mainly because that which we fear often can propel us to another, more meaningful state. The only thing that blocks us is our fear.

Think of what represents bravery to you. What are some times in your life when you felt brave?

Was it when you had your first child?
When you told the boss you were leaving?
When you sky dived?
When you ended a negative relationship?
Joined the military? Started a new project?

Whatever it was, out of all the times you can remember being brave, were any of those times absent of fear?

For most of our experiences, the times when we remember being the most brave are also the times we were most afraid.

Yet, when we are afraid, we feel like we just can't do anything!

Remember that fear is the shadow cast beside us as we walk. As long as we are moving, we are being courageous. When we become still and lifeless, like our shadow, we are encompassing fear, not embracing our bravery.

If you are interested in the "Be Brave" project, check out the following link: http://ravenn.blogspot.com/2007/10/be-brave-project.html

Long Time no Blog

It's been a while...

I feel like I am starting a conversation with an old friend. Except, should this blog be a live person, I would begin the conversation with my usual defense - humor. I'd say, "Hi Stranger!" to this person who likely new me inside and out. Or my personal favorite, "Long time no talk". To which there would be a chuckle and we would move on with our dialogue as if there had never been any time apart. The way true friends do, we would catch up as if we never skipped a beat.

The truth is that I have wanted to get back into blogging for quite some time. I wish I could say that I took some grand sabbatical to take care of myself and reconnect with my spirit and God in deep meditation and prayer. That would be an incredible excuse for the almost four month delay in entries.

No such deep journey into my soul has occured over the last four months. In fact, due to my busy schedule (don't feel too sorry for me - I work hard and play hard) I have ignored my blogging (and changing my air filters, going to gym and was late on more than one bill if you must know).

What happened?

One day I am checking my blog religiously, am obsessive about my bill payments and had an immaculately clean house (well, maybe not immaculately clean). Four months later I have dusty vents, a late payment and no participation into one of my favorite past times.

What's worse is that I decided I wanted to get back into blogging on my birthday. That was June 12 and yes, I realize it's almost two months later.

Why didn't I just sit down that instant and do what I wanted to do? Say what I wanted to say?

Oh, it hasn't been a lack of words... you didn't think that did you? I have had plenty to say. And those that love me best would like nothing more than for me to say it to this keyboard again.... if you know what I mean.

No lack of thoughts... but, I have had this feeling that I have to begin again in a GRAND, Earth shattering, soul moving, "changed my life" kind of way.

You know how it is when it's been a while, just any old entrance will not do.

My high school reunion is this month. It's been ten years since we all were last together in the same room. Just any outfit out of the closet will not do. Stained yellow teeth will not suffice. Roots three inches long will not be acceptable! I have all but called Extreme Makeover to consider me for the next show.

Ridiculous really. I haven't blogged, not because I didn't have anything to say, but because I thought my words would not be good enough to begin again after all this time.

Plus all those other worries: Could I keep up with it? Have I lost my creativity? Did I want to expose myself after all this time? Would my excuses/apologies be enough? Would people still accept me?

That's just the tip of the ice burg of anxiety I had about beginning to blog again.

But, not unlike what we do everyday. We have a family member or friend we just lost touch with and we miss them dearly. We think about them, pray for them and never pick up the phone. WHY? Well... fear and shame I suppose. Those poisonous qualities that leave us pause for too long.

This week ignore thinking up excuses or refuse to let fear stand in your way. Reconnect with something or someone you love. It matters less about how you look, what you say or how good you are at it. What' s most important is that you show up and give it a chance.

Revisiting the Easter Story

Happy Easter!

Easter came early this year. The earliest it has been for a number of years. From what I hear, it's the earliest it will be for a number of years more.

I remembered the "true meaning" of Easter. Of course, I did.

I also remembered the laundry, the floors that needed to be swept, the lunch that needed to be prepared, the phone calls wishing others a "Happy Easter", a business call and to write on my "To Do" list for next week: Bring out the linens and the whites!

There.... back to Easter.

I opened up my Bible a few moments ago.... yes, check the time of the post .... I hate to admit that the most important part of today came the latest.

I know why we celebrate Easter. Memorized, like the pledge of allegiance, or brushing my teeth half asleep in the morning. I know it all too well that I have forgotten to attach meaning to it at all.

Funny how we do that. We know stories so well we recite them and forget the emotion behind the event. We know people so well we could predict their move before they have a chance to think it on their own...yet, our familiar cadence often produces a stale environment where little love and passion grows. We go through the motions... but, often we are bad actors.

We have to revisit our stories in order to remember the true meaning. In order to feel the spark and experience the gravitating force that slams our hearts back into what is really real.... and not just a memorized story line portraying something that was once real.

Revisit those things that are important to you today... this week... this month. Tell stories with your partner about the times you met and what made the spark ignite from the first moment. Share with others the time you felt a calling or were moved to make a major decision in your life. Even the painful parts of our past hold energy that has propelled us to where we are today. Revisit, relive and give rebirth to yourself today.

Remember the Easter story is in itself a story about the true potential of miracles and the power of kept promises. The same God that rose Jesus from the grave can also preform miracles in you.

Don't let the Easter story, or your own story, go stale. Re-read it and rise with new energy today.