This is the question that has been on my mind since I saw this poem on the wall at the Lower Hutt Women’s Centre  –  do you have the courage? 

 

 

“The Courage to Be Myself”

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 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— Communicate 

lovingly with understanding as my goal— 

Honor my own needs—

Give myself credit for my accomplishments—

Love the little girl within me—

Overcome my addiction to approval—

Grand myself permission to play—

Quit being a Responsibility 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 by 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 goodbye 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 as I am now–

 

by Sue Patton Thoele