by Dottie Frament
This song by Jana Stanfield set me to thinking. If I knew that I could not fail, why would there be any hesitation in moving forward? It’s that unexamined fear that I most certainly can “fail”, however, that slows down the momentum. Today, I realize that in those moments of stalled momentum, I am forgetting about Grace. Grace is the gift that is always there for me if I only awaken to it. The writer Anne Lamott says, “ I do not at all understand the mystery of grace, only that it meets us where we are, but it does not leave us where it found us.” (Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith. )
So if we find that we don’t feel brave enough to follow through on a dream or an insight, perhaps we might want to consider calling upon and receiving the source energy of Grace, the freely given gift that is always present in the soul.
My friends and I were having this conversation about what we could do if we were brave. We instantly generated a long list of ways in which we could make heroic shifts, if we trusted that, in the big scheme of things, we could not fail. We found that there are lots of things that we hesitate to initiate even though they may seem more mundane than mountain-moving.
For starters, we came up with: If I were brave today, I would:
- Make the phone call I’ve been too timid to initiate
- Allow my child to wear what he or she wants to wear
- Allow my child to feel good about his/her choice, even if I think they might face ridicule or might not achieve the successful outcome I want for them.
- Forgive or ask forgiveness for what I once thought was unforgivable
- Leave the job I hate
- Let go of sentimental possessions that I no longer need to remind me of the love or friendship of the person who gave them to me
- Be willing to look at my shadow side, with whatever support I may need
- Set aside a time and place to allow myself to grieve losses
- Say no to something good because its not what I really want to do
As you can imagine, the list is endless. What would you do if you knew that you could not fail? Why not take a moment to write down what comes up when you ask this question.
Let us consider this thought: Grace (aka “Courage”) is available today to trust the hero in ourselves. Because we are brave, today we might see the miracles in you and me. Namaste.
Visit JanaStanfield.com
If I Were Brave
by Jana Stanfield
What would I do, if I knew that I could not fail?
If I believed, would the wind always fill up my sail?
How far would I go? What could I achieve,
trusting the hero in me?
If I were brave, I’d walk the razor’s edge,
where true believers dare to tread.
I’d never lose faith, even when losing my way.
What step would I take today, if I were brave?
What would I do today, if I were brave?”
What would I do today, if I were brave?
What if we’re all meant to do what we secretly dream?
What would you ask, if you knew you could have anything?
Like the mighty oak sleeps, in the heart of a seed,
are there miracles in you and me?
If I were brave, I’d walk the razor’s edge,
where true believers dare to tread.
I’d never lose faith, even when losing my way.
What step would I take today, if I were brave?
What would I do today, if I were brave?
What would I do today, if I were brave?
If I refuse to listen to the voice of fear,
would the voice of courage whisper in my ear?
(Maybe this is what I’d hear:)
I am brave enough to move ahead
Where true believers dare to tread;
Never lose faith, even when losing my way.
What step would I take today, I am brave?
What will I do today? I am brave…