Courage is Choice in Action

This past weekend I visited my sister Ellen. She’s on the cusp of a grand new adventure as she prepares to move to Nanaimo, BC. She’s picking up her life, packing her belongings and will be driving across the country in just a few weeks. Other than a destination and a new home to move into, the rest of her future is unwritten. She admitted she’s both excited and scared.

As I drove away after visiting I thought how courageous she’s being. Would I or could I do the same? Contemplating it gave me butterflies.

As I pondered, I thought of the many courageous people I am surrounded by.  Most of the clients I work with are experiencing some form of vulnerability. Most of the time they are on the cusp of change – either one that they are designing with intention or one that life has presented and they are reacting to.

Courage is…

Moving to a new city or country without a job or a social network because of a vision and dream of something different.

Fleeing your home land so that you can find a safe country to call home.

Speaking your truth at work or in the community when you know it will be unpopular and possibly put you in danger.

Continuing to apply for jobs after being rejected or ignored many times.

Saying no to people you love to preserve boundaries that you need to sustain so you stay whole and healthy.

Taking a stand for your values and making choices that others might not understand.

Taking the leap and starting your own business.

Asking for help and being uncertain how people will react.

Believing in yourself when no one else does.

Trusting your gut feelings and acting on it when there is no “tangible” proof of evidence to support your actions.

Leaving a job when you don’t have a new one to go to. Doing so because you aren’t fulfilled and won’t stay in a role that sucks the life out of you.

Courage and vulnerability go hand in hand. Courage requires us to dig deep into our own soul, our own beliefs, and our own spirit. It’s a call that reminds us of what is important. It’s a choice to be brave, to take action when we don’t exactly know how it will end. It’s the belief that action is better than doing nothing.

As Brené Brown says, “You can’t get to courage without walking through vulnerability.”

I’m inspired by the many people I work with and witness who choose courage. In doing so they are honouring their own vulnerability. They are being wholehearted in their action because they are choosing to change their state of being for the possibility of something bolder, brighter and more fulfilling.

Courage is not easy. However, courage is choice in action. It reminds me that vulnerability is the flirt of something trying to happen.  For me, that is inspiring and exciting.

So as my courageous sister drives towards her new life, I’m going to be paying attention to my own flutters of vulnerability actively listening for the call of courage to move me forward in my next adventure.

The Gift of Welcome

As 2015 winds down and the holiday season unfolds all around us I’m grateful for time to pause and reflect.

I am also thankful for the gift of being welcomed into the lives of those I serve. Individual leaders dancing in the vulnerability of making their bold dreams become a reality. Teams striving to find alignment in the midst of challenge and change and doing so in a way that honours their relationships. Organizations choosing to be intentional in living a culture based on their values so that they can flourish in accomplishing their shared mission.

In my work there is a notable theme - the need of human beings to be in connection with others. We are social beings and finding a way to be in relationship with others is an important driver. The yearning for quality, courageous and collaborative relationships is palpable.  People flourish when they are welcomed into a friendship, a team or an organization. Creating a sense of belonging is essential. Sometimes getting to that state of being is bumpy and precarious. Yet, when it’s achieved, the relief and joy that results are well worth the effort.

I see all this through the lens of my work and I’m seeing a parallel process unfold on the world stage.

We are living in a time where people are fleeing their homelands because of violence, war, and terror.  They are vulnerable, uncertain and scared. We are also witnessing the generosity of countries, communities and families open their arms in welcome. In Canada, our government is working diligently to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2015. In London, Ontario, our community is actively planning to receive 200 refugees. 

The efforts of so many to wholeheartedly welcome these refugees is the embodiment of respect, generosity, compassion and love. It’s fuelled by our common humanity – the need to be safe, accepted, and welcomed.  The early stage of welcoming is all about meeting basic needs – food, shelter, housing, medical care and counselling supports. The longer term work will be to help these refugees create a sense of connection and community; to support them having a true sense of belonging in their newly adopted country.  How we welcome our newest citizens will set the tone for their experience in this new land.

This holiday season, Horizon Leadership has honoured our clients, associates, collaborators and champions by making a gift to the London & Middlesex United Way Fund for Syrian Refugees. It is a gift that will support the efforts to help settle the refugees into our community.

With sincere gratitude, thanks for being with me on the journey of life and leadership. It is an honour to be welcomed into your life, your leadership, your dreams, your journey, and your experiences. As the sun sets on 2015, enjoy this season of celebration.