Lift the Holiday Spirit for Those in the LGBT Community This Year!

Do you know someone in the LGBT community that is struggling with family issues right now? Right now during the holiday season it's easy to reach out to others and it's easy to show love. When that holiday spirit goes away, where does it leave you?

I was reflecting on the struggles of many friends I have that have come forward to say they are gay, and yet their families do not accept them or welcome them home during the holidays. What kind of world are we living in?

I began to realize how much I still don't understand regardless of the number of friends I have in the LGBT community, what they feel when others are so close to their family and enjoy holiday traditions. It seems that no one would have to go without a place to go for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but I find out that this just isn't true.

There are so many left without a home to welcome them at this time of year, and probably almost any time of year they don't feel the love and acceptance of even their parents. One of the greatest pains I've ever experienced is the lack of feeling of love from a parent, whether it was through an argument or other issue that came up.

So, how can we fix it? I don't know that we can fix it, but I do believe that we can spend more time and energy reaching out to others less fortunate, meaning even those that have income but those without family to share holidays with.

The LGBT community has been experiencing ups and downs for years, but the focus right now isn't rights, licenses, jobs, or anything else. This is about people. It's time that we STOP separating people upon their gender, sexual orientation, and by their incomes.

What if we just stopped looking at people differently just because they aren't like us? Why can't we just strive to share what we have with others no matter who they are or where they come from? It seems to me that this should be fairly simple, but it's a mystery as to how there are still so many folks left out because they are lesbian or gay, or otherwise.

One organization, Your Holiday Mom, has been receiving letters and phone calls since 2011. The idea behind this was to welcome those that are without family during this time of year. It's a great thing for the LGBT community, and so we thought we would share it and what they do.

This virtual holiday welcome has spread joy to so many, and continues to do so. Loving moms are opening up their hearts to adult children from the community and saying, hey, we love you and wish you a wonderful holiday season. Just the idea that someone cares enough to act as a mother would to them is touching and nothing short of amazing.

Where is the love folks? What have we been doing all of this time that we have been here on this Earth and NOT loving all people? This holiday season, we are asking you to not judge, but open your hearts and homes to those from the "LGBT community" that are without loved ones to share their holiday season with.

What Are You Thankful For?

What are you thankful for?

You may feel that this is a loaded question, or perhaps you are in a tough situation right now in your life, and you just don't know what to do.

I've been there. I've had a lot of money, and I've had none at all. The key here is to be thankful no matter what.

I know that when I sit back, relax, and take a deep breath, I can find a voluminous list of things I am grateful for. The list can run so long, it is almost never ending. For starters, I am thankful for:

1. My eyesight
2. My ability to hear
3. My ability to touch 
4. My spouse
5. My cats 
6. My unborn baby due in March 

What are you thankful for?

There are so many things that you can honestly say that you are thankful for, even when times look bleak. I know it's not easy by any means. I don't expect you to jump up and down and run around in circles if you lost your job, and no, I don't expect you to do this if you just lost a loved one to cancer.

However, what I am challenging you to do, is to look at the blessings in your life that you still have? What about your health? Do you still have a job? Don't let the unfortunate cloud your view of what is good in your life. It's easier said than done, but it's so necessary.

What are you thankful for?

if you are struggling today with something in your life, and you just aren't sure where to look or what to do, then keeping a gratitude journal is a wonderful idea. As tough as it may be, remember it's focusing on the good that can change your life for the better. ALWAYS!

Don't allow any negativity to cloud your thoughts, and most of all, continue to pray and seek God's best for your life. So, as we go into the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, be sure to reflect on, "What are you thankful for?"

Will You Live Your Courageous Life in 2014?

As times get tough, will you still continue to live your courageous life as we head into a new year? Closing out this year may feel a little premature, but it's right around the corner. 

In fact, it's time that the Christian community come together and make some heartfelt decisions about how the church can do better by being more, doing more, and reaching out to those that have been ignored for far too long. 

I hear a lot of Christians stating that they are being persecuted for their faith, but that is something God already told us would happen. 

There was no secrecy in His Word to us. It's up to us to decide whether or not we'll believe what He says and stand up for it. If we do, then we do so without merit, complaining, or even regretting it. 

Will You Live Your Courageous Life Now?

God never called us to a life of poverty, discontent, anger, sadness, and hate. If we have those things, they are merely a result of our own doing. This isn't to say persecution doesn't come because again, God said it would. 

If you truly are living your courageous life, isn't it an honor to come against that when it does happen? If we really are living for God, then anything we suffer for Him should be a privilege. 

We should also share the thought that persecution is coming against religions as a whole in our universe, not just the "Christian faith". Furthermore, we as Christians often like to tear down those that don't believe as we do, namely:

1. The LGBT community 
2. Other religions
3. Those from foreign countries 

This isn't the life God called us to live; He called us to live a better one. God has called us to live in freedom in Him, and to share that message with others. He never asked us to be His minions running around judging others, nor did He ask us to NOT speak to others because they are different from us. 

As God's children we should be simply taking Christian to mean, "Christ like", and follow what God teaches us in His word. Could it be any clearer that we have completely failed at this? 

As we go into a new year, we need to bring awareness that the only way to live is to live courageously. It's time to stand up for what God's Word actually teaches and not what denominations have broken it down to believe. 

It's time that we come together, focus on loving others and give our brothers and sisters a real chance to receive our message. Love is powerful, and as the world around us seems to get angrier, let it be a time for us to be different. We are in the world, but we don't have to be "of the world."

Will you join us today and vow to live your courageous as we head into 2014? 

PS-Did you enjoy the insights brought to you today in this article? Did this inspire you or give you something to think about? We want to hear from you! If you would love to start living "your courageous life", please comment below, and be sure to find us on Facebook under Courageous Life! 

Why Motivational TShirts Are Getting Attention

Have you heard that motivational tshirts are getting criticism in the Wall Street Journal. This isn't being taken lightly, in fact the writer of the article, Chad Stafko takes a harsh standpoint about these tshirts being worn by runners. 

The idea? That runners boast about what they do, and if wearing tshirts that boast they are runners isn't enough, they also have bumper stickers devoted to sharing how far they have run. Hmmm. What about those that wear stickers on the day they gave blood? 

Does that make them overzealous about it? Not necessarily. In fact, it can help to encourage others to give blood as well. Even if the decals state the number of miles they run per day, perhaps someone will see it and get motivated to take better care of themselves. Right?

The writer didn't see it that way, but at Courageous Life we look at things a bit differently. We believe that what you wear says a lot about you and what you stand for. In fact, the message on your shirt can cause someone to smile, or even change their outlook on the day completely. Would you agree? 

We aren't saying that tshirts are life changing, meaning completely, but consider the impact they could have even for a moment. Think about how great it is that someone could recall what your tshirt, hat, or even your decal said. They could even share that with someone later on in another conversation. 

Motivational tshirts aren't something that people wear to brag, but in my opinion they often encourage others to do an activity. Inspiring others to take action is what leadership is all about. The writer even states that a study shows that there were 15.5 million people participating in marathons in 2012 versus the 13 million in 2010.

So, the idea that wearing these tshirts doesn't work is simply not true. As runners wear their marathon shirts in races and as they are out and about in public, they clearly just want to share a message. We want to share ours too. 

Our message is one that states positive thoughts and at least gets others thinking about how they can inspire others too. If you want to check out the article just out of curiosity sake, you can go here: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304448204579186401818882202. 

If you would like to check out our motivational tshirts and see what we have to encourage you as well as those around you, go HERE to learn more! 

Be Courageous and Touch the Untouchable!

Has anyone ever told you to be courageous and talk to the people that you normally wouldn't talk to? What about touching people that are what others would call unclean in their dress and in their appearance? 

This photo credited to Washington Times.com

It seems that at times we hear the most remarkable stories of those that are willing to reach out to those that we normally wouldn't approach, and we hear about public figures like Mother Theresa that reached out and touched the lives of the poor and needy. 

You may not have ever found yourself doing this type of work, or maybe you think about it but it somehow always seems to escape your mind. Pope Francis decided to be courageous when he reached out to touch a man and pray for him. 

The man he touched to pray for is severely disfigured and his face is covered with tumors. Who would touch this man besides the Pope? Not anyone that I know of, and I would find myself shuttering at the sight of such a thing if I were up close and personal with them. 

Pope Francis has called for courage and compassion from the Catholic Church, but it sure wouldn't hurt the rest of us to show compassion and love to those that we normally wouldn't consider talking to or even touching for that matter.

The church, no matter what denomination is called to be "Christ like", and this means that we are to live as He lived, and to walk as He walked never passing judgment on others for what they look like, do or even say. 

When people are hurting, they simply need someone to be courageous and show them a better way. They just need to see love, they need to feel love and above all they need to know that people genuinely care and are reaching out to them in prayer or any other capacity. 

What will you do with this information and insight today? Will you reach out to those in need or do you intend to avoid the topic altogether? Whatever your feelings are right now, remember it's always right to be courageous and do what others won't. 

PS-Were you inspired by this blog post today? Did you feel compassion for someone you know right now that could use your help or maybe even a hug? If you have a story to share, we would love to hear from you! We would also love for you to connect with us on Facebook, which you can do by doing HERE! 

Living The Courageous Life Kinetic Typography Video

If you are in need of a little late afternoon pick me up, watch this motivational video.
If you like this video, leave us a comment!

Courage in a King

Because irony shows up in more ways than one - verbal, dramatic and situational, life requires us to have courage in places we might not think we need it. One man that was greatly affected by this was King George VI.

Have you seen the King's Speech?  It was a wonderfully made movie regarding his struggle with a speech impediment, or more commonly known as studdering.

It made his life incredibly hard and personally embarrassing to even speak to his fellow British countrymen.

Here's a little background story on his life:



Did you know studdering is one of the leading causes of bullying?

Let's stand together and stand up for what we believe in...to live passionately, making certain everyone is treated fairly and equitably, to live courageously, and to love unconditionally.

Are you ready to stand up for what you believe in? Wear it!

Courage-What Defines This for You?

Courage is a great thing, yet it seems these days that so few people have it. With so much negativity in the media and in the world in general, it seems that we have more to worry about but less men and women coming forward to share their thoughts on what is happening and why.

Do you realize that if you don't like something, you simply need to be the change you want to see? Although we often look at change as way too hard for us, and we may think that getting others to change is too hard, we have to keep looking.

What if those before us just gave us and did nothing? What if those we call leaders didn't exist? What if those we call leaders didn't teach us what we have learned? What would we be like? Would we have acquired that knowledge elsewhere.

To do those things, it took courage. What will you do?

Do You Have Courage? 

Has anyone ever asked you if you have courage? If so, there was probably a reason that they asked you. It doesn't mean that you are weak, and it doesn't mean that you are someone that they won't follow, but it does mean that you need to look within yourself for something deeper.

Can you recall a time when you saw something taking place that you didn't agree with, and you did nothing? That was a lack of courage, and on a deeper level it may be a lack of conviction as well. The question isn't whether or not you are capable of being courageous, but it's a matter of whether or not you know what you believe and why.

If you do, it's easier to stand up for it right? There are tons of quotes about courage, and if you have any doubt as to what it means to exhibit courage, read those quotes and you'll better understand it. Read biographies about leaders and what they do, and by all means be sure that you check our our website so that you can read more about the leaders we are meeting, and what they are doing every day to make a difference.

You won't hear about them in the news, or the newspaper, or even the radio. You won't find them on Entertaintment Tonight, American Idol, or even Bill O'Reilly's show. These people just go and do, and they do for God. There is a big difference.

How will you show your courage today? 

Marge Simpson and the Inspiration Behind Her Character

Marge Simpson is a name that many of you know, and while you may believe that her character has nothing to do with what we write about, just hear me out. The creator behind her character, Matt Groening, used everything he knew to create what many consider an entertaining show, and in this case it was Groening's mother.

Margaret Groening passed away on April 22, 2013, while sleeping,leaving an entire cast of characters in her wake. Perhaps her purpose in life was two-fold. She was the mother of a creative man that has brought joy to millions, and she inspired one of the main characters in the show, The Simpsons.

This brings me to ask you two questions:

1. Do you fully understand your purpose in life?
2. Each day, do you ask, "How can I inspire someone today?"

Little did Margaret know that she would inspire her very own son to create something so powerful like this, and at the time she probably had no idea what her purpose would be other than to raise her son. Let's take a look at the character of Marge Simpson, to get a better idea of who she was and still is today. 

The Character of Marge Simpson

Go ahead and laugh. Yep, we are talking about Marge Simpson. In fact, it's not so much about her, but remember, it's the woman that inspired her character. It causes you to wonder whether or not every detail was just like Groening's mother, or if it was just a few trade offs here and there. 

If you read the story about Margaret, you will find out right away that yes, she did in fact marry Homer! Why? Ah, he was the one that made her laugh. While her hair wasn't blue, the laughter factor alone spells The Simpsons, simply because laughter is WHY Groening created it in the first place. 

In his mind, it was about writing what you know, and creating something that you are familiar with. In fact, Margaret's maiden name was Wiggum, just in case you didn't catch the character Chief Wiggum. Ah, how Groening was able to weave so much family into the story is amazing, and it's what makes this story so special. 

I am sure that Groening will need some time to grieve the loss of his mother, but it was her that inspired him to write these stories, and she breathed life into his characters for millions around the world to enjoy and identify with. The characters went far beyond just the mother figure of Marge, but they encompassed the family as a whole. 

Do you wake up with the desire to inspire? If you believed for a moment that you could breathe life into the characters of a story, or someone's life for that matter, wouldn't you do it? In some ways, we can learn from Marge Simpson, don't you think?

If you could be more of an inspiration like Marge Simpson, then go to www.courageouslife.com to learn more about how we can help encourage you daily! 

Quotes About Courage that You Can Share Today!

Quotes about courage are something awesome that you can share with others when they need a quick pick me up, and if they are feeling fearful of making an important decision. 

Have you ever been in this situation? Have you ever wondered what thoughts could help you get up and running and stay up and running in a positive manner?

Could you use a bit more courage in your day? Whether you are looking for inspiration, motivation, or just a word about courage, take a look at these quotes about courage right now, and see if they resonate with you!

Quotes About Courage to Warm the Soul 

Here are a few of our favorite quotes about courage to warm the soul and take you to a place where you can have a word to recall that you can share, or just help you to get through your day.

 “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” - J.K. Rowling 
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” -Nora Ephron 

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” - Winston Churchill

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” - Coco Chanel

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." -Atticus Finch 

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” -Nora Ephron

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." -Atticus Finch 

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” -Lao Tzu

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” - E.E. Cummings 

More Quotes About Courage! 

If you liked those quotes about courage, you are sure to like more that we have to share with you! Check out the following as well!

“Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.” -Maya Angelou 
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement thatsomething else is more important than fear.” -Meg Cabot 
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.” - William G.T. Shedd 
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.” -Mark Twain 
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.” - Anais Nin

Have you enjoyed what you have read here today? Have you had the chance to check out our other blog entries as well? If you enjoyed these quotes about courage, then please comment below and share this with others on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus! 

Courage Quotes-Need Some?

Have you been looking for some courage quotes? If so, then you have come to the right place. We hope to be a source of encouragement, and we know that many folks these days lack the support system to get what they need. This is why Courageous Life exists, and it's why we do our best to reach out to those that are hurting or in need.  

Sometimes what we read can have a tremendous impact on our lives. Have you ever had a bad day and then you read something that made it all better? Have you been in the middle of something painful, and you just wanted some encouraging quotes to read? 

If you are looking for some courage quotes, we got 'em. We wanted to share some of our top quotes with you, to help you start your day looking up! 

Some of Our Favorite Courage Quotes 

Ready for some great courage quotes? 

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." -Steve Jobs

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." -Eleanor Roosevelt 

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." -Nelson Mandela 

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage." -Maya Angelou

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." -Winston Churchill

"There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right." - Ronald Reagan

"Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway." -John Wayne 

 "Don't Make Assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life."- Miguel Angel Ruiz 

More Amazing Courage Quotes  

Need just a few more courage quotes? 

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." -Muhammed Ali

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point." - C.S. Lewis

 "It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." -Alan Cohen 

"You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." - Aristotle 

Are you in need of an uplifting word? Make sure you stop here often to learn about courage and more!  

Motivation Letter to a Person in Need

Have you ever heard of the motivation letter? While you might think it's a letter written to someone to inspire them or motivate them to do something, it's actually a bit different.

This letter is NOT even close to helping you get motivated, but rather to help you motivation someone to look at you as their solution!

Need I say more? Could it be that you can easily motivate someone to hire you? Could it be that you easily get others to come around to your way of thinking?

What if you could easily persuade an organization to believe that you alone are the ideal candidate. This is what the motivation letter is all about.

However, what if you wrote a letter to someone in need that motivated them to change their life? What if you could write a simple letter to help someone gain a better understanding of what they could do each day for positive change?

Let's take a look at a short letter that a mother wrote to her child to do just that!

A Mother's Motivation Letter 

There is no doubt that the purpose of writing something motivational is to get someone to make a move! Sometimes I believe it was intended for part of the word motivate to be missing letters to spell MOVE!

Moms are good at this; getting people to move, or getting their children to do things that need to be done. However, as children we can often be stubborn about it, right? So, how does a mom take the concept of an application letter and use it for the betterment of her child?

It read a little something like this:

"Dear Son,

I know that while you may be feeling down about not getting that job you applied for, remember, you are MY son. In fact, not only are you MY son, but you are an amazing man. You don't know this one detail of your life, so let me share it with you to prove that you are a fighter, and that yes, you WILL make it.

When you were born, you were a bit early. In fact, you were early enough to make everyone worry, and to get the attention of the doctors and nurses in the hospital for that thing they call, "STAT".  You were very unhealthy, and the doctor told me then that you would probably not grow fast enough, eat properly, or you could have a host of problems. That is what HE said.

You had other others plans though, and you fought to stay alive, and then you fought some more. I was impressed with you then, and I am still impressed with you now. See, my dear son, at a time in your life when you just came into this world, with very little chance of survival, and all of the odds stacked against you, you still made it. I believed in you, even though you weren't aware, it's that thing they call "energy", but I also call it a "mother's love".

No matter how much I loved you then or love you now, it's still your choice. You come into your own because you DECIDE, not because someone does it for you. You did it then, and you can do it again. You could feel my belief, but you still in your own way chose to fight as an infant. Now, you can choose again.

KEEP FIGHTING. 

Mom's Motivation Letter with Love

Now do you see? Can you see how a motivation letter can be something more than a cover letter? Can you see how this letter could motivate a young college graduate to keep trying? To keep reaching? These days, we have enough tragedy and lose enough hope that it's not worth getting people to shed more tears.

Motivation is what makes the difference, and if you care about someone today that is struggling, why not write them a motivation letter of your own? Live courageously.

Quotes on Success

Have you been looking for some quotes on success? We wanted some, and so we decided to look for the very best so that we could share them with you. Success is important to almost everyone, and for some it's a matter of success in their business.

This is why we wanted to share with you some quotes on success, from some very wise men and women that know all about what it takes to have success, and how to get there!

Some Quotes on Success by Celebrities

Just to share with you some of the best, we decided to take some of these quotes from some super successful folks, many of them celebrities. Take a look! 

"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." -Bill Cosby
"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." -David Brinkley
"Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it." -Bruce Lee
"Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another." -Napolean Hill
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -Winston Churchill
"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." -Michael Jordan
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." -Abraham Lincoln

Some Quotes on Success by Some Unlikely Folks 

Sometimes it just might surprise you the quotes on success that you can hear coming from some of the most unlikely people. How about some historical figures, a few of which we see above, but some scientists, and some other interesting characters?

“Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.” - Albert Einstein

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

“Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get” ― W.P. Kinsella

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” ― Truman Capote

“If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut” ― Albert Einstein

“The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you.” ― Bette Midler

“Dare to Be

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.

When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.

When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.

When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.

When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.

When times are tough, dare to be tougher.

When love hurts you, dare to love again.

When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.

When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.

When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.

When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.

When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.

When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.

Dare to be the best you can –

At all times, Dare to be!” ― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
Have you ever read so many great quotes on success? These are just some of our favorites, not to mention that is why we decided it was time to share them with you. 

Do you need encouragement? Do you need help in building your self esteem, or just feeling as though there are others that feel like you do about life in general? Why not join our community at www.courageouslife.com, and check out our apparel and other products as well to share your success in life. 

While you are at it, why not share your "quotes on success" in the comments below! 

I Am Love!

I am love, are you? It's a great question, and it's one that has people talking these days. Everyone wants to know what love is, but yet they try to hard to hit the mark with something that is anything but. The truth is, love is all we should ever be, or all we should ever really offer to someone. Do you believe this? I do, and I know that love can heal you as well.

In fact, if you have never had the chance to read writings about Mother Theresa and her life and works, take the time to do so. That woman was a true example of love, and what love can do for people. It is no surprise that Mother Theresa was well respected by so many, as she wanted to reach out to those that no one else would reach out to.

So, rather than asking a question about whether or not you are love, wouldn't it be wise to make an affirmation? What about stating to others, "I am love." It's really simple, and I find that just making that statement as your affirmation, will do far more for you than it would to question it.

Let me tell you a story.

I Am Love Whether You Are or Not

I was chatting with the girlfriend of a friend of mine the other day, and it's an understatement to say that she is an amazing individual. We will call her "Lynn" in this case to protect her identity as is generally the case here. 

Recently, her boyfriend took his life, and she was deeply in love with him, but after the fact, she came across an old email in his email account, where he states that he wasn't so sure about how he really felt for her until the end of January. 

Wow. 

She had fallen madly in love with him, and while he continued to tell her he loved her, his emails made her feel otherwise. She felt deceived, and she sees something that makes her believe that he deceived himself as well. 

The reality is that I don't think that he could live with himself. He had been living a life filled with lost jobs, high use of alcohol, drugs, and women previously to try and cover up how he really felt about himself. This really had nothing to do with her, but naturally as humans, when our self worth is down we tend to believe that people do things as the result of us "not being enough".

I am love, and I give love. How about that for an affirmation? 

I Am Love and I Am Loved 

It is often do hard for us to go back and look at things differently, and believe that yes, we are loved, as we are love. We have to KNOW that we know that we know, that our value isn't based upon what someone else thinks or does. 

Our value is determined by God the Father, our Creator and Friend. Was there ever a time when you believed that you weren't enough? Have you ever felt as though you weren't enough for someone to love you back? 

Ah, God tells us that we are worth more than gold and silver. In fact, God is clear about telling us that our worth isn't based on what others say. The human mind and heart are full of error and deception, as we are only human. 

It's up to each of us to choose to say, I am love. Loving others is courageous! 

Emotional Pain and How to Heal it

Emotional pain is one of the worst types of pain we can have. There is no doubt that each of us have experienced our very own dose of emotional pain, but we also know that we have some good ways of dealing with it, and some not so healthy ways of dealing with it.

Drinking, drugs, smoking, eating, and other addictions can often lead to a life much worse than the one we thought we already had. Can you think about a time when you have done something to cover up your pain, and it wasn't a healthy way of doing so?

There are tons of ways to deal with our emotional pain in a healthy way, and I want to share with you what they are. There is a way to overcome all things, and of course with God all things are possible. Let me tell you a story.

Facing Emotional Pain Head On

To help you understand how you can deal with the tough stuff in life, I want to share a story with you that should resonate with almost anyone. 

Seven years ago, a friend of mine went through a tragic event in her life, and at the time, she just wasn't sure how she would ever see the good in it, or deal with it head on to help her live her life. She had been violated sexually, and naturally, this is one of the hardest things to overcome. 

It's so personal and so private, but during the healing time, she ended up drinking and using drugs to help her eliminate the pain from her life. The emotional pain from being sexually assaulted is something that even psychologists will tell you is very difficult to overcome without intense counseling and therapy. 

She avoided getting professional help, because she didn't want to be labeled as someone that had something wrong with her, because she was the one assaulted and not the other way around. What she didn't understand at the time was that yes, she was right! 

She was the victim, however, what she would learn later is that she didn't have to be in that state of mind, or be a victim for the rest of her life. She discovered that "being the victim", left her in a captive state, and without freedom to live her life. 

What allowed her to exit from the cage of pain? It was forgiveness! 

Forgiveness is the Key to Releasing Emotional Pain 

While some of you may feel this is a completely inaccurate way of healing emotional pain, I can assure you that the ultimate in doing so is forgiveness. It doesn't make what the offender did okay, by any means, but it does release you to heal. 

This also doesn't mean that you have to talk to them or be friends with them. Forgiveness is all about letting go, and detaching what they did from the idea that they did this to you because you have no value. 

I can prove this in a few ways:

1. Those that have been sexually assaulted have low self worth
2. Those that take their life tend to love others and reach out to them more than they do for themselves 

This is a sure sign that these individuals seem to believe that they have no significant value in life, and they feel as though they don't fit in anywhere. This is a lie! You are valuable, and you do matter! In fact, studies show that when kids are raised with this outlook in life, they grow up with less emotional strain and they are ultimately more successful. 

Forgiveness is NEVER easy, but it takes courage. The easier path in life is to be angry and stay that way, but that life won't bear any fruit. If you are experiencing emotional pain, seek help from someone that can provide you with sound and Godly counsel, and live courageously! 

How to Be a Rich Woman

Have you ever wondered what you would need to do to learn how to be a rich woman? What would it take for you to acquire wealth, status, and favor in the eyes of the world around you? For most women this is the goal, but for others it's not.

Many women only long to be rich in love and life, build better relationships with family and friends, and are not as concerned with the material things of this world. Many women want only what love can bring, and not the material things. So, can a woman be truly rich in all aspects of life?

Does a woman have to sacrifice one to get the other? Are both possible? Is it a sin to have money? Of course NOT! The truth is, God wants you to live richly, but there are some guidelines, and some things that you need to remember in order to live the life God intended.

If you want to learn how to be a rich woman, KEEP READING.

How to be a Rich Woman is About What You Think? 

Have you ever heard that learning how to be a rich woman starts with how you think? If you have ever watched The Secret movie, you know what I mean. The idea that you attract wealth into your life, right? What about the idea that you attract the poor into your life?

You can still attract anything, because perception is projection. While I believe that The Secret is made up of biblical principles and distorted, it has occurred to me that yes, we could stand to change the way we think.

Let it be known that you:

1. Believe in thinking good and pure thoughts
2. Believe in thinking on whatsoever is honest and lovely
3. Believe in thinking that you are fearfully and wonderfully made 

These are all things that make a woman believe that she can achieve wealth from the time she is a young child. Can you imagine growing up as a little girl, and hearing your father call you "princess"? Isn't that wonderful feeling?

If you did not experience that, then you may read this, with the emotions clawing at your heart, despising him for NOT calling you "princess". You are NOT alone. There are countless women out there just like you that have been in that space of pain.

Just as it's important for fathers to tell their daughters how beautiful they are, they also need to instill in them that they can have, be, or do anything they desire. This includes learning how to be a rich woman. Whatever context that comes in, the choice is yours.

Life is all about choices, so what do you choose? As we get older, it's our responsibility to decide what is best, and to separate the bad from the good. We need to find mentors that can come alongside us and give us guidance.

Even if you see a child that is struggling that isn't yours, wouldn't you help them? Don't you want them to be able to recognize what God's best for their life really is?

If you believe that all girls should and can learn how to be a rich woman, then be sure to stop by and check out our website at www.courageouslife.com today!

Planned Parenthood-Where is the Courage?

Meet Abby Johnson, former employee of Planned Parenthood. What you are about to hear about this may sicken you, and that is the goal.

For one, I am surprised that more people don't know about what has been happening, and not to mention, I am thrilled that this young woman is taking a stand for what she believes is right.

Abby Johnson is now considered an icon for the pro-life movement, and the message she has to offer is one of strength, courage, and bravery.

However, if you were to read more about her, this isn't about getting accolades, she simply just wants to do what she believes is what God would want for His children. If you are NOT familiar with the story of Abby Johnson, then KEEP READING. You are about to discover what is happening, and how Abby is making a real difference in the lives of others.

Planned Parenthood Losing Abortion Clinic Workers is Making Headlines 

If you are NOT familiar with Planned Parenthood, be aware that what they are doing is beyond sneaky. It borders on sickening, hellatious, and it's frightening to think that young women are going there to get help, but it's all happening without parental consent, solid guidance and putting young women at risk for believing that abuse is okay.

When Abby Johnson first joined this organization, she was in college, and she wasn't familiar with the inner workings and what was really happening on the inside. Needless to say she was pro-choice when she first arrived on the scene, and she was forever changed when she was forced to observe an abortion that happened at 13 weeks.

What would you say, how would you react, knowing that at 13 weeks you could hear a baby's heartbeat, be closer to learning the sex of the child, and knowing that you could easily view that baby on ultrasound and see that they are developing visible features?

Putting Planned Parenthood Into Perspective 

Today, we are here to share with you the courageous move and story of Abby Johnson, and why she is helping these workers from Planned Parenthood get free of their jobs. This is NOT intended to debate the issue on pro-life or pro-choice.

Watching a baby fight for their life during the abortion is what caused Abby to change her beliefs on this issue, and for man women that get hired, they struggle through the process. As a result, she is helping these women get free of their jobs, and help them get emotional support as a result of what they are witnessing.

It takes courage to go against the grain and do it in the face of an organization that has been around for years and has government support and funding. She is simply doing what she believes in and what she feels is right. What would you do?

We are not asking you to change your beliefs, but you have to admit this story is quite powerful, and it's sharing the courage of one young woman that is facing lawsuits and ridicule from others. Will you stand up for what you believe is right? Where is the courage?

Courage Has No Color

Courage doesn't care about color right? Just in case you didn't know, this is what cihldren believe,and they are right. If you were to ask children's author Tonya Lee Stone about her new book, Courage Has No Color, then you would understand completely why this book is such a hot item.

Just in case you don't know, the book is about the first black paratroopers. This book for ages 10 and up is a great book for parents to put on the reading list for them and their child as they approach social issues and challenges.

Why not let our history be well-rounded? These paratroopers known as the Triple Nickles, will in the eyes of this author become as well known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Why? No, the author isn't African American, but she does care about people.

Do you think that it takes courage to do something that others won't? Do you believe that it is courageous to go against racism and treat people equally, regardless of their race, creed or color? Ms. Stone had no problem writing a book that some would say, "gee, a white woman wrote this?"

I see this all of the time, and the funny thing is people seem so shocked about it. People are stunned that several African American folks went to see the movie Lincoln. Yet, this only proves that there are tons of Americans that obviously didn't pay attention in history class.

The Author Has Courage All Around 

It's funny when a gal that is Caucasian writes a book about African American paratroopers, and wants to see these folks take their place in history regardless of who they were or where they came from. Isn't this what life is really about? It's about giving credit to where credit is due.

What is most impressive about this author? It took her 10 years to write this book, and that is something not many people would keep up with. That alone takes courage, which means that the author herself has a tremendous story of her own.

I hope that each and everyone of you educate your children properly, and share with them what is meant to be remembered in history. Anything worth writing about is worth remembering, and hopefully, you will have the courage to stand up for those that don't always get the most in recognition.

Live Courageously!

Extremists are We?

Does this photo share an image of extremists? Maybe, at least in the opinion of most you I'm sure that you believe that.  Because you think they are, does that make them so? 

Are these men extremists?

Do you know these men or their intent? If you don't, then that means that you are simply judging them by the way they look, right? In the United States right now, we have a looming issue and that issue is whether or not it's okay for President Obama to use drones in our own country. 

Do you agree? Disagree? What gives? Simply put, you should know that not only is this an issue, but it's becoming a real problem with our own citizens simply because the rules behind this are nothing short of accusing others of being extremists. 

While we do have them in our own country, is this the answer? If I full out live my faith and share it with others, does that make me one too? 

Defining Extremists 

With our country up in arms about extremists and what it means to be one, the reality is that yes, it's still a sore subject, and it's not going to go away anytime soon. 

The challenge is this; religion is the culture in most other countries and in the United States it is not. While we believe that our country was founded on Christian principles, the truth is that we still view others as extremists if they don't agree with us. 

However, what these folks really are is a group of folks that take it beyond the faith, or vow to follow a faith or group that places no value on human life. Do you agree? 

The problem in America now is that we have become so tolerant of everything, that it's going to spiral out of control, and it actually already has. If our government believes that they don't agree with something we do, we could have a missile launched on us. 

If you were watching the news last week, then you are fully aware that airline pilots spotted a drone in their flight path and they reported to the air control tower, confused and totally taken aback by the fact it was in the air. Do you really believe that this is an accident? 

Not so in our book, especially now that drones on our soil is a hot topic. If anything is diverging from the norm of society we are calling it extreme. So, I guess if our society changes, and we are tolerant of everyone and everything, where does that put us? 

Are We Extremists if We Have Courage? 

I think one of the biggest concerns that Americans have is this; if we show courage and stand up for our beliefs, are we extremists? Is it wrong to stand up for what we believe? What we believe is what was the norm for our country and has been for thousands of years, but am I too foolish to believe that we can stand up for what is right and not get a missile launched on us?

It just seems that we have a disease going around in this country, one that encourages people doing whatever they want however they want. Wouldn't you call that extreme? Is it extreme to keep having children and living on welfare? 

1. Would you say that the following is extreme?
2. Killing others just because they don't agree with you 
3. Killing others because you believe it will give you a special place with God
4. Forcing citizens of your country to work when they aren't being paid? 

There are so many issues that we face, but we have too many chiefs and NOT enough Indians, don't you think? 

Here is what we know to be true. God is God, and HE always will be. In fact, God Himself says, "I AM THAT I AM", and that is really all we need to know. 

I believe it's time that we stand up and be counted, don't you? It's time for us to live courageously! 

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Courageous Life