The Courage To Be Myself...

Back in 1994 while on a skiing trip in Breckenridge, Colorado I ran across this poster in a gift shop. The title of it caught my attention. Curious, I began to read it. the message touched my spirit so profoundly that I had to buy it. The funny thing is that I had to lug that poster with me on the airplane back to Los Angeles, California. I didn't care, it was a long poster attached to cardboard backing. I didn't want to bend or roll it up because I wanted to hang it on my wall just as it was. I still have it hanging right next to the door frame of my bedroom. So everytime I exit my bedroom it's right there for me to see. I've had it for so long, I admit that I don't read it everyday. However, on occasion my spirit stops me and I unconsciously begin reading this message. I'm grateful that my spirit knows what it needs and at those times it's nourishment.

I hope this message touches you as it touched me. May it bring you peace, love, understanding and acceptance of who you are. Enjoy!

The Courage To Be Myself

By: Sue Patton Thoele

I have the courage to ...

Embrace my strengths ~ Get excited about life ~

Enjoy giving and receiving love ~

Face and transform my fears ~

Ask for help and support when I need it ~

Spring free of the Superwoman/man trap ~ Trust myself ~

Make my own decisions and choices ~ Befriend myself ~

Complete unfinished business ~

Realize that I have emotional and practical rights ~

Talk as nicely to myself as I do to my plants ~ Honor my own needs ~

Communicate lovingly with understanding as my goal ~

Give myself credit for my accomplishments ~

Love the little girl/boy within me ~

Overcome my addiction to approval ~

Grant myself permission to play ~ Quit being a responsible sponge ~

Feel all of my feelings and act on them appropriately ~

Nurture others because I want to, not because I have to ~

Choose what is right for me ~

Insist on being paid fairly for what I do ~

Set limits and boundaries and stick to them ~

Say "yes" only when I really mean it ~ Have realistic expectations ~

Take risks and accept change ~ Grow through challenges ~

Be totally honest with myself ~

Correct erroneous beliefs and assumptions ~

Respect my vulnerabilities ~ Heal old and current wounds ~

Favor the mystery of spirit ~ Wave good-bye to guilt ~

Plant "flower" NOT "weed" thoughts in my mind ~

Treat myself with respect AND teach others to do the same ~

Fill my own cup first, THEN nourish others from the overflow ~

Own my own excellence ~

Plan for the future, but live in the present ~

Value my intuition and wisdom ~

Know that I am lovable ~

Celebrate the differences between men and women ~

Develop healthy, supportive relationships ~

Make forgiveness a priority ~

Accept myself just as I am NOW!