The G.R.A.C.E. Diet, Part Four

Over the past three issues of The Seeker, I introduced readers to The G.R.A.C.E. Diet,a program designed to refuel your spirit, add to your emotional resilience, and lift you from the challenges of living in this chaotic world. To date I have explored the practices of Gratitude, Respect and Acknowledgment.

Last month I challenged you to consider a Life Review in which you examine how you have mastered the challenges life has offered you and to begin to recognize the natural attributes you possess. Finally, I suggested an exercise whereby you practice self-acknowledgment,I ACKNOWLEDGE MYSELF FOR BEING…,an act of gratitude and self-respect.

How did you do? Has this led to any changes in how you see yourself? Have you been able to name your gifts, talents and strengths and engage them differently? Be kind to yourself and remember that these practices take time to become habits, so stay the course!

This month, I am discussing the C of the G.R.A.C.E.Diet, Courage.

G.= Gratitude

R.= Respect

A.= Acknowledgment

C.= Courage

E.= Enthusiasm

Courage

As well-known psychologist and author Brene Brown writes,You can’t get to courage without first walking through vulnerability.I agree;I believe that the first step on any journey of self-discovery or development, is harnessing courage. I say this as the practice of self-inquiry, to really look at oneself, is not for the faint of heart. It requires personal-reflection and a willingness to look inward.

It is interesting that the word courage comes from the French word for heart, coeur, suggesting that courage is at the heart of any process of unfolding self. I do know that to claim one’s authenticity is an inside-out job, a process which is less about what you think and more about what you feel. While the journey of self-discovery sounds simple, my experience in coaching has taught me otherwise. Most people fear being themselves completely and honestly and it really does take courage to dig deep, to know oneself, to believe in oneself and to live from an authentic place.

Why?

Most people are raised by well-meaning parents, teachers and preachers. And with that comes a lot of rules, “shoulds”, “must dos” and codes of conduct. You come into the world with instructions awaiting you, a paint by number vision of what others expect of you. Granted you are born into a society where there are definitions of what is right and wrong. You need that guidance. At a certain point however, you begin to exercise your voice and express your individuality and if you are fortunate, you have parents and teachers who foster that. And sometime you find that the expectations others have of you may not match your own desires. And this is where courage comes into your development; your ability to know yourself and believe in yourself and stretch your wings in the direction you know to be best for you. On that paint-by-number canvas, you realize it is time to paint outside the lines.

This desire to stretch your wings can happen at any time in life, it is not an age-limited thing. My suggestion for you is that if you feel like you are still painting inside the lines and you are tired of it, it may be time to stretch and dare to explore what exists outside the box you find yourself in.

Where to begin, you ask.

1. COURAGE. Yes. Ask yourself what courage do you need to master for you to take the first step. Breathe. Ask yourself what it is that you have always wanted to do or explore that you have not yet done.
2. Set an INTENTION. Once you clarify what you want, set an intention. Example: I have always wanted my own art studio. Before we moved to Cornwall, my art work was split between the basement and our shared office. I really did not have a space that was my own. After moving and realizing there was no space for me in the condo, I set my intention: “I have my own art studio. It is affordable. It is a private space for me where I can be messy and expressive.”
3.Once setting an intention the key is to be CURIOUS. Stretching outside that box, begin to imagine what the possibilities might be. Where might what you want show up? Are there possibilities you are not considering?
4. IMAGINE what your intention might look like, feel like; in other words, visualize what life is like when your intention manifests. See yourself in new situations. Again, courage comes into play here because this is new and different.
5. Be CREATIVE. Consider the many ways that what you want may show up. Be prepared to be surprised and when things begin to change have the courage to step in to them and not hold back.
6. Pay ATTENTION. Always understand that when you set an intention, and believe in the possibility, something will change. You need to be present to the subtleties of what is shifting around you.

As for my intention, one day I noticed that there seemed to be several rooms unused on the second floor of my chiropractor’s office. As I finished my treatment, I drew a deep breath and asked him if the second floor was occupied. He explained that there were a couple empty rooms. I explained that I was an artist and that I was looking for studio space. On my next visit his office manager showed me one of the rooms which I am pleased to say has been my studio for the last three + years. It is everything I had hoped: affordable, messy, my private space.

Back to courage. Not only does it take courage to believe fully in yourself and to step into and be your authentic self, at times it takes courage to believe that you can actually have what you want. I do not say this lightly as my belief in myself has waxed and waned through the years. I have learned however, that the more I believe in myself, the more I am clear on what is perfect for me and step into it, the easier it is to manifest what it is I want. I do not see this as selfish; I see it as clarity.

Final Word Courage has many companions. Clarity, the ability to understand what it is you want and to step into the possibility through intention. Curiosity– exercising your innate capacity to imagine possibilities. Creativity– expanding those possibilities and wondering what might show up if you get out of your own way. Consistency– staying with your intention, stepping into what it feels like, paying attention and allowing the Universe to take care of the details. And finally, back to Courage – when what you want manifests, actually stepping into it.

Until Next Time,

Betty Healey

The roadSIGNS Coach

Your thoughts and strategies are always welcome and if you care to share you can reach me at: betty@roadsigns.