Note: December is Word-of-the-Year Month at Christine’s Blog. As we roll into another New Year, each day will feature a new guest blogger who chose one word as a way of setting intention for her whole year. Today’s guest is Stacey Curnow. More about Stacey below.
My Year of Courageous Thinking
As 2008 approached, rather than create a list of resolutions, I took Christine’s suggestion to choose a word to inspire me through the year. My word was “courage.” At the time I was two weeks from taking my then two-year-old son to Guatemala, and given the fears I had about the trip, courage seemed like the perfect choice. And it was. Choosing courage helped me to anticipate and enjoy an amazing adventure, and my newfound intention challenged me to move out of my comfort zone and find new ways of being in the world.
Other adventures followed. In June my oldest and dearest friend decided she wanted to participate in a triathlon and asked for support. When I was younger I had two terrible bicycle accidents that resulted in brain injuries and hospitalizations (in the era before helmets) and as an adult I’ve had a bit of a bike phobia. Occasionally I would go out on quiet neighborhood streets for little family jaunts, but that was the extent of it. I wanted to support my friend, however, and remembering my word of the year was enough to motivate me to try. In September I was strong on the bike for 18 miles and finished my first triathlon right by my friend’s side.
Just a week later we had a serious fuel shortage in my town. There was literally no gas available for days, and there were predictions that supplies would be short for weeks. At first I felt panicky: how was I going to get around? Then I remembered my trusty bicycle—and word—and made a resolution that I have kept even after gas returned to the pumps: to only take my car out once a day at most. I used to think nothing of taking 2-3 trips a day. Now I ride my bike all around town to run errands, even in busy traffic, and I love it.
Not all my adventures were out in the world, however. I had read Eckert Tolle’s A New Earth last year, but I read it again in March for Oprah’s “webinar” on that phenomenal book. And this time, thanks to my word for the year, I read it with a real sense of being ready to live its message. I wanted to kick my ego’s ass and now I felt I had the courage to do it.
I say courage because I define courage as “feeling the fear but doing it anyway.” In the case of my ego, I felt resistance to being in the present moment and knowing all is well, and so I decided that overcoming that resistance and moving past it to seat myself in the moment was also an act of courage—an act that my word for the year was calling me to perform.
Having made that discovery, I then made another one. Even now my ego gives me plenty of reasons every day to find fault with what is happening in my life. And yet I can honestly say (and I have many friends who will read this and can back me up) that for the past year I have not criticized, complained, or in any other way demanded that circumstances or others change so that I can be happy. And I have decided to recognize in that ability — to accept reality and love what is — another one of the many faces of courage.
I truly believe that invoking courage as a sort of mantra called the universe to offer me the thoughts and experiences I needed to change the way I look at myself and the world. It has been an incredibly rich and joyous year. And even though the year started with a monumental trip out of country, I can say emphatically that the greatest journey happened within me. And my word for next year? “More!” More challenges. More breakthroughs. More joy.
Finally, I want to thank Christine for inspiring me through her example to live more courageously. And thank *you*, dear reader, for giving your attention to this post. If you’d like, you can read more stories and see more pictures from “My Year of Courageous Thinking” in my blog www.myfriendoprah.blogspot.com.
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Stacey lives and loves her life with her husband and partner of 15 years, their 3 year-old son, 10 year-old dog, 4 chickens, and too many wild birds to count. She also works part-time as a nurse-midwife and is currently offering inspiration and coaching. If you are interested in a private session, please contact her at guate_mama@yahoo.com
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
It is so fun to see this post! I wrote it back in October and since then a couple of things have changed: my dear friend and dog, Zoe, died and I’ve decided my word for 2009 is “Rejoice!” You can read more about it at my blog. And you can also enter an exciting give-away.
Hi Stacey,
I read your post on CK’s site, then visited your site. Your guest post inspires. I still haven’t gotten the courage myself to choose a word. Long story. I’m happy for you,though, that you did and that it’s helped you.
Your Christmas pictures look great. It’s nice to see joy in action.
All the best,
Pati
PS (One of my friends goes on medical missions to Guatemala. She got married this year and will take her husband with her next year.)
Hi Stacey,
I’m sorry to hear about Zoe. Remember the good times you had with her…
Courage is a word I love very much. It speaks of really looking deep within. And that you talk of triathlons and biking – I’m hooked! I’ve done a couple of triathlons the last few years, and bike regularly to work now (well, when the weather is less snowy…). So, I think that’s great that courage led you to these things – and really something that is continuing to become a part of you.
More than that, though, what you’ve said about the journey happening within you – a wonderful point! It does take courage to change ourselves, at a core level, deep down in who we are and what we’ve become ingrained to do. And that’s what I think is so cool about this word, how it has changed you at a deeper level. That is so awesome!
Wishing you only the best in 2009 and beyond!
Stacey you got back on a bicycle after those terrible accidents? That is true courage – I salute you !
Stacey
So very sorry about Zoe.
And yet so very joyful for your courage. I loved your line that you would live in the moment and accept reality and have not demanded that others or circumstances change for you to be happy.
Rejoice was my word for 2008 and I pray that it is as awesome for you as it was and still is for me.
Hi Stacey,
Heartfelt post! Love this line “I have not criticized, complained, or in any other way demanded that circumstances or others change so that I can be happy.” Great words to live by – takes courage to follow. Congrats.
I’m sorry to hear about Zoe. But I’m glad to hear you are back bicycling. I bike all over my town too! Wonderful way to see the world up close and personal as well as promote a sense of community.
Have a blast with rejoice in 2009!
Giulietta
Finder of true genius
Hi Stacey, it’s great that Christine chose your blog entry for her site. Two of my favorite people that taste great together! I love your entry on courage and am honored to be one of your dear friends who has witnessed you live this over the last year. You are very inspirational to me on so many levels. So much so, that in the last few months, when I am confronted with a difficult situation, I have found myself mentally asking myself “What would Stacey do?”. I wish you luck with your life coaching path. I think it’s something you were meant to do. Love you lots, Gail
Good morning! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts – especially for Zoe – they are wonderful to read.
@Pati- I think Christine has written well about sitting quietly to find your word. It will come to you. And how lovely that your friend does medical missions in Guatemala. If she writes about her experiences will you let me know?
@Lance – I still feel so much sorrow around missing Zoe, but like you said, I try to move my thoughts quickly to the JOY her life brought me. I think about the Khalil Gibran quote a lot – to paraphrase: “that which has given you sorrow…[is that which has given you joy].”
@m – I remember you visited me at my blog when I first wrote about biking and offered words of encouragement then – thanks so much! I’m happy to report I’m still going strong – even in the wind and cold! (Zoe’s “no such thing as bad weather” spirit is definitely with me on those rides!)
Okay, my little one is at my elbow saying he wants me to play “Superfriends” – I’m Wonder Woman and he’s Green Lantern! I’ll come back later when I can.
Stacey – WOW, what incredible examples of courage! You’ve inspired me – teetering on the edge of signing up for this run. I’m thinking of maybe going for the 10K, rather than half-marathon… but I had almost – almost – decided to not sign up at all – it would be MUCH easier. LOL Thanks!! Your courage is leaking out to others!
Stacey, what a wonderful year our family has had, thanks to courage! Thanks to you for leading the way!
Stacey-
I love your post and I love you! Having you as my dear friend is enough to make me “soar” in 2009 (my word for the year)!
Christine-
Thank you so much for putting this concept “out there”. Having a word last year changed my life. I am so excited to see what this year brings!
Merry Christmas, Everyone! I’m now at work in the hospital for my 24-hour call shift, awaiting our first Christmas baby! I miss my family, but I will have a little more time at the computer here than I do at home. Again, it has been wonderful to receive the positive response to my post, and especially all the support around the loss of Zoe.
@Christina and Giulietta – It’s so cool that same part of my post resonated with both of you. It has been wonderful to tell a new story about myself, and to have a new voice – courage – say, “You’re bigger than the thing that is bothering you.”
@Christina – I love that your word for 2008 is rejoice! The word just makes me smile thinking about it, so I can’t wait to see how it informs and inspires me in 2009!
@Giulietta – I completely agree that biking is a wonderful way to get to know your community. I’ve lived in my town for over 10 years and now I have a new wonderful window to see more lovely neighborhoods.
@Gail – Everyone should have a friend as dear as you with whom to share life’s challenges and a bottle (or two!) of wine.
@Caren – Yes! Do the run! There really is nothing like the collective energy of all the people in the race – it will totally carry you through! I’d love to hear from you as your train!
@Doug – Thanks, darlin’. I’m so grateful you are with me on this journey.
@Ruthie – I thought about your word (receive) for 2008 a lot and it also helped me to appreciate all the amazing gifts this year brought me (especially the ones that didn’t come all dressed up in bows). I know you will continue to elevate me as you SOAR in 2009!
We had our Christmas baby! A little boy named Jesus – really! His mama already has 3 other little boys, and knew this one was a boy as well, but when he was born she looked between his legs and said, “A girl?” She said with obvious humor that she was hoping for a Christmas miracle!
I’m honored that so many of you came to my blog and let me know that you appreciated my post! I tried to write back to you if you left contact info. Please let me know if you don’t get it.
Hi Stacey,
It’s possible my friend will write about her medical mission — she’s gone on several and hasn’t written about them thus far, though. I’m not sure what the protocol is here — if you post your e-mail, I’ll hold onto it until they get back (February). Congratulations on the baby!
Pati
Hi, again, Pati! Thanks so much for checking back. My email address is guate_mama@yahoo.com
I’d also like to hear if you have given any more thought to a word for 2009. I want to say that I think there is *magic* that happens *after* you have chosen a word. I believe that any word that resonates even a tiny bit will be incredibly powerful after it is chosen. Finally, I just want to say I hope you have *fun* with the process.
All the best to you! S