"Courage and Hope"

"Courage and Hope" by David Rude,MA, CPC February 8, 2011

There are vast possibilities available to us at this time. I really believe this.

I just returned from my workshop and coaching tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland where I met some amazingly courageous and hopeful people. Times are tough, money is tight and it's cold out, but these people are empowered and motivated to create change through conversation and community.

I have always been attracted to the idea of community. I was taught very early on that my duty was to the community and that I was to be a "man (person) for others."

It's easy to feel isolated and to allow ourselves to get entrapped and to feel disempowered by negatively perceived experiences that have to deal with. We do have a choice, though. We can choose to respond or to react.

I'm often asked about the concept of journey. Many want to know if they're on the right path. I think the embarking is more important, at times, than the path itself. Just getting ourselves ready to move forward can be daunting and eventful. Choosing to respond to life and to have an awareness of the vast possibilities ahead of us is very empowering and creates hope. Sure, it takes courage to allow ourselves to be vulnerable enough to take that proverbial first step, but "you can't hit the ball from the bench."

If you want to experience new ideas and possibilities you may have to look at things, including yourself, differently. You may have to allow yourself to be really seen by others and to let this vulnerable act to move you towards real connection with the people around you, your community. Vulnerability is required for any meaningful connection in life. Some degree of risk is required for any kind of growth, be it personal, financial or social.

In these days of political, economic and climatic change we may do well by ourselves in isolation and frustration, but I believe, especially after having met so many open-minded, courageously honest people in my travels, that we can do even better with the support of and connection to others.