Daring to Be Courageous in 2018

“Sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will come of it.”

-Benjamin Mee, We Bought a Zoo

Happy NEW Year, friends!

Wow I cannot believe it’s already the end of January. Time is FLYING by already in 2018. Anyone else feel the same? To catch up here: I graduated from college, moved houses, and survived the infamous flu since my last post. I’ve also been applying to graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology, which is a nerve-racking process to say the least (prayers please). 

There is a lot of new going on in 2018 so far, and I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about it. For those of us who are as embracing to change as a bat is to light; a lot of change can be scary. However, as I am actually going through the post-grad transition to adulthood, change has become a new friend of mine. I think change, whether all at once or over time, makes life way more interesting. It’s like moving to a new town. At first it can be kind of random and strange. But as I get used to it, it turns out to be worth experiencing. 

My word for 2018 is COURAGE. 

Last year I was faced with a lot of moments that required me to brave. I had to be brave when I decided to end a relationship that wasn’t healthy. I had to be brave in leadership positions, and share my faith when it wasn’t the popular opinion. I had to be brave when I decided to go to counseling and learn how to overcome my social anxiety. In my post, The Power of Vulnerability, I spoke on the first time I realized how much social anxiety had held me back from developing deep and meaningful relationships with people. It was awful, but I’m so proud to say I’ve become so much stronger through that experience. 

This year I want to continue what I started in 2017. I want to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone, believe in myself, and pursue the dreams that I thought were impossible. When I was thinking of my word for this year, my heart kept coming back to a verse I learned long ago:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -Jesus, John 16:33

When Jesus says “take heart” that also means “have courage.” The root stem in courage is “cour-,” which translates to heart. When we encourage others, we are lifting up their hearts to give them confidence. When we discourage others, we are putting their hearts down. At least that’s how I see the difference between encourage and discourage.

One of my spiritual gifts is encouragement. I love to tell someone thank you, good job, or cheer them on. I love using my words, both written and verbally, to lift someone up. But don’t get me wrong, I say the wrong thing plenty of times too.

As I was thinking about how I want to be courageous this year, I made a list of “10 Acts of Courage” that I am going to do. Check it out!

My prayer for courage: 

I pray that I have courage to step outside of my comfort zone and have faith that God is guiding my path. I pray that I have courage to forgive and move on, write with honesty, and love without fear. I pray that I become the courageous, brave, and strong woman who God created me to be. God, please give me the courage to love myself and others without attention to just weaknesses or flaws. I will take heart because my Savior has overcome the world. 

Amen

Thank you so much for reading! Comment your word of the year too! 

Petit à Petit,

Lauren 

P.S. I am also challenging myself to read “100 Days to Brave” by Annie F. Downs with my sweet friend, Rachele. I got my copy at Target. Check out THP’s instagram here to see updates on my journey to brave and living more courageously!