Alan Cohen:

It takes a lot of COURAGE to release the familiar and seemingly secure to EMBRACE THE NEW but there is no security in what is no loner meaningful.  There is MORE SECURITY in the ADVENTUROUS and EXCITING. For in MOVEMENT, there is LIFE and in CHANGE, there is POWER.

Beautiful quote! I felt I had to just write it out.

What I have recently discovered for strength is quite literally, STRENGTH TRAINING. I have found strength training 3 days a week, being "IN MY BODY" and the rhythmic movement of weight training, not only strengthens my body, even more so, my MIND. I leave the one hour session with my trainer, calm, clear, strong and FOCUSED, yes, Laser Focused.  It's better than any drug. I've heard that exercise is good for me, but this is quite amazing.  This MUSCLE GYM for body builders, allowing no mirrors, requires me to be in my body,  focused, tuning out everything else.  My trainer stands and directs me, shoulders back, chest up, tummy in, hips tight...now move, trust your body. Come on push yourself. You can do it, 4 more, keep going.

There is one exercise, called the TRX, where I use two ropes with handles attached to a tall ladder. I go into the plank position and my body is stiff and straight, then I  use my shoulder, arms  and back muscles to lean back and pull forward.  I literally feel ELECTRICITY and energy shooting through my body, like lightning bolts, head to toe.  What is that? I can't explain it, but it is powerful stuff.  Then the next exercise I need to do, which seemed impossibly difficult before, is easier now.  Whatever is happening in that one exercise, is dramatic and THAT GIVES ME COURAGE. 

I think it is because it takes me out of my head, out of over thinking.  I go into the gym, full of doubts, self-doubts and so many thoughts and ideas swirling around in this head of mine, with no where to land, and I become QUIET inside.  Out of my HEAD and into my BODY and it is CALMING.  This rhythmic movement is self-soothing. It soothes and washes away the over-thinking, even ruminating.  It HEALS me. I emerge, calm, clear, laser focused and strong, full of courage to face my fears, to eagerly face the day. Into the beautiful California sunshine and a beautiful new day to be savored.

Thank you, Regina, for the quote, which I felt compelled to WRITE OUT.  Yes, I wanted to SEE the words as you were talking, so I hope I got that correct.  I do love, love, love Alan Cohen.

I welcome CHANGE, and am craving ADVENTURE, but I never thought of that as courageous.

Lots of emotion stirred up with this one Reg but the concept I'd like to share is that when faced with a need to summon up your courage, first of all, acknowledge and accept your fear ( it's legitimate and real for you at this moment).  Then look for someone you admire, someone known personally or someone known from afar, whose worn similar shoes.  Recognize your kinship with this person and allow yourself to be strengthened by their ability to win out, overcome, or achieve.  

"...remember.  You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think....."  Winnie the Pooh