Your Magenta Monday Magic.
I love this quote by Brené Brown “You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.”
When we are used to being stuck in a rut or comfortable using the status quo as a compass for how we ‘should’ be living our lives, changing that up and being brave can seem really scary!
We can’t talk about bravery without talking about fear, right?
This week we’ll focus on fear which is one of the biggest obstacles to personal growth.
If you go back to the cavepeople days, fear was developed to keep us ‘safe’.
A survival instinct that essentially stopped you from getting your face bitten off by a saber-tooth tiger.
Back in the day, fear was a very good thing. And it still serves it’s purpose when we are in physical danger, for example, maybe when you are in an unfamiliar location by yourself. It keeps your adrenaline pumping so you are alert and cautious.
But what about when it comes to your own journey?
Fear keeps you safe, sure….but it also keeps you stuck.
Staying safe doesn’t work with personal growth. But it can serve a purpose when you learn to listen to it as an indicator of where you need to lean in.
“Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”
― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle
You know what? After I started down the road to discover my true passion and purpose, I became inspired to do something bigger than my job of selling expensive jeans to people who didn’t need any more jeans.
Through my inquiry process, I discovered that empowering kids to make a difference was really exciting for me. I realized that in order to do it the way I wanted to, I would need to start my own nonprofit and all of the fears surrounding that venture became very real.
That little voice in my head that wanted to keep me comfortable and safe said, “Who are you, Bridget, to think you can start your own company? You are not an entrepreneur!”
It took me months before I got up the courage to actually file the paperwork and once I did, it became a huge sense of accomplishment.
Ripple Kids was my labor of love for the next 10+ years and we empowered thousands of kids to help hundreds of people in need and other causes.
If I hadn't had the courage to take that first step, none of that would have ever happened.
‘Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.’ - Brene Brown
Just think…what could be possible for you when you are courageous enough to take that first step?
Monday Mindshift
In week 1, I asked you to create a list of all the things you’ve always wanted to do. These are the things that keep bubbling up in your consciousness and pop into your mind while you’re driving your car or maybe as you’re contemplating what will come next.
It’s that whisper that speaks to you in the quiet, yet for some reason, you keep pushing it to the back.
1. Make your wish list: If you don’t have a bucket list, create one now. All the things you’ve ever wanted to do or thought ‘that would be really cool’. Don’t edit! Let your heart run wild - there are no limitations.
2. What’s the hold up? Look at your list. Now, pick something that calls to you and spend at least 10 minutes journaling why you haven’t started it yet.
Is your resistance because of…
the limiting beliefs or stories that you have been telling yourself about what you believe you can or can’t do?
the fear of failing?
the fear of success? This can be even more crippling than the fear of failure.
what you think others around you will think? Why not shift your mindset from worrying about what people think, and focus on achieving something that they will want to do too.
Again, no censoring - allow yourself to be really honest about it. Being brave is really about rejecting what you thought you knew, and asking the sweaty questions.
3. Reflect for awhile on all the “why you didn’ts” and ask yourself what is the worst thing that can happen if you did? Nobody is perfect. We all are beautiful works in progress. And, so what if you miss a few dance moves? The truth is nobody noticed what you were doing. They were watching their own feet.
4. One step at a time. Have you always thought about trying a painting class? Then start by taking that one next step - find a class in your area. Easy as that. Don’t expect to pick up a brush and become Bob Ross overnight. Just do the best you can and like Bob says, “Ever make mistakes in life? Let's make them birds. Yeah, they're birds now.” Being brave isn’t about having no fear…it’s about finding a way through it.
C’mon Moms, I know that you’ve done that and so much more for your kids over the years.
Isn’t it time to start doing the things you’ve put on the back burner and now finally have time to do?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and responses to this week's “thought inquiry” exercise. I invite you to share what you come up with in the Thriving Mom’s Collective FB Group.
Love Xoxo,
Living BRIGHTer is...
B - Be Brave
R - Cultivate Relationships
I - Live with Intention
G - Practice Gratitude
H - Prioritize Health
T - Live your Truth
What is Magenta?
The color magenta is one of universal harmony and emotional balance. It is spiritual yet practical, encouraging common sense and a balanced outlook on life. Magenta helps to create harmony and balance in every aspect of life; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
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