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