Recently, I finished listening to Brendon Burchard’s book High Performing Habits.  It’s actually my second time listening to it because it is THAT good.  I tend to listen my favorite books on tape multiple times and every time I walk away learning something new that I missed the first time around.

This time it was the saying, “Courage is contagious”. As soon as he said that phrase it really hit home, and I instantly wrote it in my phone so I wouldn’t forget.  Courage is contagious. It’s a saying that has been used for a long time and after Googling it last night I saw that there are MANY books with that phrase or something similar somewhere in their title.  I know I had heard it before, but for some reason when he said it that day it really resonated with me. It made me stop and think about the times in my own life where I’ve been courageous and impacted others, on top of the times I’ve watched someone be courageous and was inspired by THEIR courage.

While I was Googling the phrase “Courage is contagious”, I stumbled across Brene Brown’s extended version of that where she says, “Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver.”

Since last week was International Women’s Day, I can’t help but think about all of the amazing, powerful brave women that I look up to.  Women who have moved mountains, whether everyone can see those mountains or not.  I have been lucky enough to watch women change lives and inspire others to do the same.  

When I think of courage, I think of them.  

IMG_5236.jpgI think of my mom starting her own business when she was 28, taking a home equity loan to afford to do it.  I think of my sister and cousin Kelsey who followed their dreams and took the risk of starting their own businesses at the age of 24!  I think about my friend Micah and all five feet of her beautiful self, working her ass off, going to law school and continually showing up and killing it even as teachers and classmates judged her for her size and gender.  I think of my friend Sarah who moved to another country to experience a different way of life. IMG_6887I think of the public figures that I look up to, like Michelle Obama and Rachel Hollis. How everyday they tell their stories, share their lives with strangers in hopes that it will encourage them to take the next step to living a better life, even if it means they were be virtually torn apart.

Living out your dreams and following you heart, taking the road less traveled, takes courage.  It takes spirit, hard work, and an unshakable belief in your ability to succeed. The impact you make on others in the pursuit of your dream is truly contagious.

 

IMG_6873When I watched my sister go full force into opening a yoga studio in our home town, it shook me out of my complacency. 

When I watch my cousin Kelsey start a dog walking business, completely taking over an entire county’s business, I was reminded you are capable of any dream you set yourself up for.

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When I would listen to my friend Micah tell the horror stories of law school, her first job as a lawyer, and how she would continually overcome comments and judgement, I was inspired to stand tall and always be grounded and proud of all that I am.

Watching them inspired me to take action.  Then, once I took action and actually did something I was afraid of, like taking the new job that would “swerve” my career path or starting a blog, I stood a little taller and felt a little prouder of myself.  Once I finally took the leap and saw that I landed on my two feet in the end, I wasn’t as afraid anymore and it left me wanting more. Wanting to push myself more, and wanting more of my life.

Courage doesn’t have to be a big grandiose act.  According to the Google dictionary, the definition of courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one.” 

My definition of courage is going to be different from yours and that’s okay. We are all meant to impact the world, even if it’s just our own in a different way.

After International Women’s Day came and went, I couldn’t shake the feeling of want to publicly celebrate the day.  When I was reminded of that quote, I knew there was no better way than to celebrate the courageous women in our world.

To the women out there, that I know and don’t know, thank you for all that you have done to make our world a better place.  Always remember, that people are watching everything that you do and don’t lose out on the opportunity to inspire someone else to be better.

Here’s to STRONG women.

May we KNOW them.

May we BE them.

May we RAISE them.

#girlpower

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