“The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” Robert Green Ingersoll February is traditionally the month of love.  We celebrate Valentine’s Day to share with our loved one.  What if, instead – we celebrated love every day of the year? Most of us do not believe we are courageous.  Often fear fills our hearts and we succumb to worry. There are all kinds of courage.  It takes courage to love, to forgive, to end or begin a relationship, to change habits and to even switch careers.  One of the most important elements of being courageous is to reflect on past relationships, family dynamics, the death of a loved one, our choices throughout our life. It takes courage to open our heart to love after our heart has been broken.  Rejection hurts! Forgiveness is key.  Each of us need to forgive others, but especially ourselves which may be the most difficult. Worry erodes courage and weakens our energy, causing anxiety.  Worry defeats our intent to live a happy life.  All those ‘what-ifs’ swamp our thoughts. Make a list of your current worries, and then list the major worries that consumed you over your life.  I think you will discover that those worries that plagued you never happened.

“A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.” ~John Lubbock

I have an index card with a forgiveness affirmation written on it which I repeated many times a day for 40 days.

“I forgive others and I forgive myself!  God forgives me and I am FREE!”

Have you heard the saying, “a change of heart”?  Meditate on the meaning of that phrase.  Have you personally ever experienced a ‘change of heart’?  If so, when and why? Compassion and empathy also take courage.  Love requires courage.  Trust takes courage, not only trusting others, we need to trust ourselves.  It is an odd question, but do you trust your body to recover from illness or injury, to function filled with health.  Do you love your body enough to make healthy choices in food, exercise, rest and refresh your mind while eliminating worry?  Too often, we forget to honor the gift of each and every day of our life.

“Fear knocked on the door.  Faith opened the door and no one was there.” Source Unknown

Consider the most important days of your life?  Being born, and dying.  What filled the days between these major events?  Was your life filled with curiosity, adventure, love, passion?  Did you discover your purpose for the life you were given, or did you care too much about other’s opinions. Courage of the heart takes you on a journey that is rarely traveled, but most of all, filled with love!  Sharing your gifts, talents and skills, being an inspiration and a blessing to others leads to a life of fulfillment and joy. I wish you a happy Valentine’s Day, but most of all, I wish you the courage to practice unconditional love. Namasté,  Jussta Views:]]>