Several weeks ago, I wrote a post titled, 7 Days of Journal Writing: Prompts for Self Discovery. I’ve received a lot of positive comments about how much you enjoyed working through the questions, and you’ve inspired me to try something new. (Thank you again you wonderful readers – your notes and comments mean the world to me <3.)
What is this new thing, you ask? I’ve decided to start a weekly journal prompt series.
What does this mean? Well, for the foreseeable future, I’ll provide a weekly journal prompt that offers the opportunity to look inside ourself, reflect on our thoughts, and deepen our self awareness.
Now, I know we’re all incredibly busy, and the likelihood of sitting down to journal once a day just isn’t realistic.
Once a week, however, is another story.
Whether you physically write down your thoughts, or you simply reflect on the prompt throughout the day – you have an entire week to explore the many layers of one single question.
SEVEN DAYS? Yep, that is much more manageable :).
So this is the newest addition to I’m Busy Being Awesome.
Each Friday I’ll post a question or quotation and provide a few ideas to consider. Then, over the weekend and the following week, we can reflect on the journal prompt, dig a bit deeper, and learn more about ourselves.
Are you in? Great!
Week One Journal Prompt
We are going to embark on our journey today with a quote about courage that has stuck with me for years. It is by Mary Anne Radmacher. She writes:
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”
-Mary Anne Radmacher
Wow.
To me, this simple statement has so much meaning. It is a message of strength and determination, while also providing comfort and understanding.
[bctt tweet=”“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher” username=”BusyBeingPaula”]
For many years Radmacher’s words reminded me to believe in myself and pursue my goals without restraint. They helped me realize that success and happiness do not simply happen for some people and skip over others.
Rather, these things are there for the taking; they develop naturally out of one’s passion, persistence, and determination. They come for those who “try again tomorrow.”
The courageous ones are those who work toward their dreams, even if the odds are stacked against them.
The courageous ones don’t give up.
Over the past several months, however, the meaning of Radmacher’s quotation has shifted for me slightly.
I’m facing some new hurdles in my life, and her words now challenge me to dig deep and ask myself some difficult questions. At the same time, they give me courage to remain true to myself, discover who I really am, and recognize what I need in my life to find joy, balance, and clarity.
I find the courage to look inward, to put blinders up to outside expectations, and to listen to myself. Because in the end, I’m the only one who has the answers.
And while some days are better than others, I nevertheless maintain my courage because of that “little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”
So for week one of our journaling journey, I ask you to reflect on Radmacher’s quotation. As you do, consider the following questions as well:
What does courage mean to you?
How do Radmacher’s words apply to your situation?
Where do you need courage in your life?
To help you remember this message throughout the week, I’ve created a free download of Radmacher’s quotation. Print it out and hang up in your office or by your bathroom mirror, put it next to your bed or in your purse (or all of the above!), wherever you need need it most. Each time you see the quote, reflect on her message for a moment.
AND, thank’s to “SpotonChaos’s” wonderful suggestion below, I’ve also created wallpaper for your computer desktop and your mobile lock screen as well. Now you can have Radmacher’s message everywhere 🙂 Click the picture below and get all three!
Tell me, do you regularly journal? What does courage mean to you? Have you heard this quote before? I’d love to hear from you – let me know below!
