On
the last day of winter (Friday – March
19, 2021) I had the chance to organize my seasonal book club session, featuring
courage - an inspiring virtue.
Currently, the ongoing pandemic is still affecting the entire world and since the related restrictions are continuing strong, again I chose to collaborate and communicate with my friends using the available technology.
This time our group was made only of women, fact which allowed us to approach the chosen topic a bit differently, while somehow reaching deeper levels of communication and understanding. Due to confidentiality matters, I will not share in this briefing the very personal perspectives discussed, but I will be glad to highlight few additional concepts of general interest (relating to courage), worth pondering upon:
-
Courage is the most important of all virtues, because without courage you can’t
practice any others
- It is important to face your life with courage, dignity, integrity and don't be afraid of people's criticism
- Many people agree that it takes true courage to become who you really are because it means turning into a person you know deep in your heart that you should or could be
- Change requires bravery and willpower, but it also implies getting rid of beliefs that you might have embraced and implemented (knowingly or unknowingly) from people around you over years (things such as: you can't do this job, you are not strong enough or smart enough, your competitors are much better than you, you don't have sufficient experience, you are either too old or too young, you are not prepared for it, try another time - maybe later or never, etc.)
- It helps a lot to have the courage to face your fears (mostly when you are alone)
- It is wise to develop your courage by taking calculated risks
- Courage leads you to those defining moments that in fact are the life-changing decisions you made along the way
- Maintain the courage to be a person of inner strength, as this would help turning the right thinking into the right action/s.
Wrapping up the sharing, we all agreed that in life it takes courage to become who you are meant to be.
Concluding, I would like to extend over my renewed appreciation to each guest of the evening, and state once again, loud and clear, that it brings so much joy to my heart to see my friends putting a bit of extra time aside for heart related projects. Yes, we all are busy (myself not being an exception) with secular jobs providing for our daily needs, we all work, shop, cook, or have all sorts of medical appointments, have family responsibilities or just simply take time to relax (watching movies, taking walks, do sports, etc., etc. ,etc.), but my hut up for all those who still find the necessary strength and positivity to stretch just a bit more (for an extra hour or so) to look after heart and soul related matters…awesome attitude, which I find truly beautiful and inspiring.
Until next time, dear ones, please stay safe and healthy!
Warm regards,
Alice
Currently, the ongoing pandemic is still affecting the entire world and since the related restrictions are continuing strong, again I chose to collaborate and communicate with my friends using the available technology.
This time our group was made only of women, fact which allowed us to approach the chosen topic a bit differently, while somehow reaching deeper levels of communication and understanding. Due to confidentiality matters, I will not share in this briefing the very personal perspectives discussed, but I will be glad to highlight few additional concepts of general interest (relating to courage), worth pondering upon:
- It is important to face your life with courage, dignity, integrity and don't be afraid of people's criticism
- Many people agree that it takes true courage to become who you really are because it means turning into a person you know deep in your heart that you should or could be
- Change requires bravery and willpower, but it also implies getting rid of beliefs that you might have embraced and implemented (knowingly or unknowingly) from people around you over years (things such as: you can't do this job, you are not strong enough or smart enough, your competitors are much better than you, you don't have sufficient experience, you are either too old or too young, you are not prepared for it, try another time - maybe later or never, etc.)
- It helps a lot to have the courage to face your fears (mostly when you are alone)
- It is wise to develop your courage by taking calculated risks
- Courage leads you to those defining moments that in fact are the life-changing decisions you made along the way
- Maintain the courage to be a person of inner strength, as this would help turning the right thinking into the right action/s.
Wrapping up the sharing, we all agreed that in life it takes courage to become who you are meant to be.
Also, in order to bring even more content to this subject, in comments sections I’m sharing a short story which features “the courage to be yourself”, trusting that by doing so it might add more meaning. Additionally, for your convenience and enjoyment, here is a briefing I wrote some time ago on this very subject, called: "COURAGE - an inspiring virtue"....peaceful reading!
As usual, our group talks were open, authentic, pleasant and to the point, making the time fly much faster! When we reached the end of our gathering, we realized that we still have left a lot of points to touch on, but (to our satisfaction) knowing that there will be a next time, we adjourned for the evening.Concluding, I would like to extend over my renewed appreciation to each guest of the evening, and state once again, loud and clear, that it brings so much joy to my heart to see my friends putting a bit of extra time aside for heart related projects. Yes, we all are busy (myself not being an exception) with secular jobs providing for our daily needs, we all work, shop, cook, or have all sorts of medical appointments, have family responsibilities or just simply take time to relax (watching movies, taking walks, do sports, etc., etc. ,etc.), but my hut up for all those who still find the necessary strength and positivity to stretch just a bit more (for an extra hour or so) to look after heart and soul related matters…awesome attitude, which I find truly beautiful and inspiring.
Until next time, dear ones, please stay safe and healthy!
Warm regards,
Alice
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on; it is
going when you don’t have any strength left.” (Napoleon
Bonaparte)
16 comments:
Short story: HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE YOURSELF
An emperor once lived in a distant land. He had grown old and knew that the time was near to choose the one who would succeed him to the throne. In that country, the successors to the throne were not chosen from among the king's children, but from among the most virtuous young men in the kingdom.
So, one day he called all the young men of the kingdom to him, and told them: "It's time to step aside and choose the next emperor. I decided to choose one of you. Here is the choice: today I will give you each one a seed, but a special one. I want you all to go home, plant the seed, water it, and come back in exactly a year, here, with the plant that grew from the seed. Then I will judge you by the plants you bring, and I will choose one of you. That will be the next emperor!"
Among the boys was one named Peter, who also received a proper seed. He went home full of energy and told his mother the whole story. She helped him prepare the pot, choose the soil, plant the seed, and water it carefully. Every day he watered it in time and watched for shoots.
After about three weeks, some of the boys started talking about their plants. Peter continued to check his seed pot, but nothing grew.
Four weeks, five weeks, six weeks passed. Still nothing. All the boys were already talking about their plants, and his hadn't even emerged from the ground. He was very depressed.
Six months passed and still nothing with his seed. He understood that he had failed. Everyone else had tall trees and plants and he ... nothing. He didn't say anything to the others. He was still waiting, somewhat.
The year passed and all the boys appeared before the king. Peter did not want to go empty-handed, but his mother encouraged him to do so. After all, he was at least honest. Peter felt a huge emptiness in his stomach, but he knew in himself that his mother was right. So he took the pot and went to the palace.
When he got there, he was amazed by the variety of plants presented by the other young people. They were beautiful, of all shapes and sizes. Peter set his pot down and those around him began to laugh. Some felt sorry for him and mocked him:
"Well, at least you tried!"
When the king arrived, he rolled his eyes at the crowd and greeted those present. Peter tried to hide somewhere in the back.
- What wonderful plants and attractive flowers you have grown. Today one of you will be called emperor!
Suddenly, the sovereign's eyes fell on Peter and the empty pot. He immediately ordered the guards to bring him forward. Peter was terrified. Was thinking: "The emperor saw that I was a scoundrel, because my seed did not bear fruit. For my unworthiness, maybe I'll pay with my head."
When he reached the front, the emperor asked him his name.
"My name is Peter," he replied fearfully.
All the young people laughed and made fun of him. The emperor asked for silence. He looked at the boy and announced the crowd:
"Here is your new emperor." His name is Peter!
The boy could not believe his ears: "But the seed had not even grown. How could he be the new emperor?"
And the king answered and said,
- A year ago I gave each of you a seed. I told you to plant it, water it, and bring it to me today. But, I gave you boiled seeds that have no way to grow.
All of you - except Peter - have brought me plants and flowers. When you saw that the seed did not grow, you replaced it with another, from you. Only Peter had the courage and sincerity to present himself with the pot in which the seed given by me is. That is why he is your new king!
MORAL: In life, have the courage to face the facts of your particular situation, stay true to yourself, and always do your best to improve yourself.
NOTE:
Dear readers,
At times, some of the comments and / or the materials presented might be in a foreign language and if you wish to translate that to English (or to any other language), please use the automated translator, installed at the bottom of this webpage.
Thank you!
Alice
Așa cum ne-a spus și doamna Dorina, definiția curajului este abilitatea de a acționa în diferite situații cu vitejie și cutezanta, dar implică și un procent de nebunie. La întâlnirea pe care am avut-o am ajuns să ne cunoaștem actele de curaj ale fiecareia. Pină cind mi-a venit rindul să vorbesc am ajuns la concluzia că în acest cerc de prieteni am cunoscut persoane de un curaj pe care l-am cunoscut doar în filme și cărți. Admir curajul fiecareia în parte și mă simt onorată să vă cunosc pe toate.
Mulțumim Alice din nou pentru seara pe care ai organizat-o și pentru subiectele interesante pe care le găsești să le discutăm.
Dana
La întalnirea on-line de vineri, 19 martie, la Book Club, tema discutiei a fost curajul. Cuvântul curaj este mult mai profund decât pare la prima vedere. În limba franceză inima este "coeur" în latină este "cor". Acestea sunt rădăcini ale cuvântului curaj (courage). Aşadar curajul înseamnă de fapt să trăim cu inima deschisă.
Tot cu inima deschisă ne-am întâlnit și noi, câteva doamne curajoase, care am vorbit despre experiențele noastre din viața, marcate de dificultati, eșecuri dar și reușite. Am împărtașit gândurile ca o ”spovedanie” și mărturisiri neștiute din cotloanele sufletului. Această întâlnire a fost pentru mine o lecție din care am învatat ca unul dintre ingredientele esențiale ale rețetei pentru succes este, fără doar și poate, curajul. Doar curajul este acela care te ajută să poți face față greutăților întâlnite, puterea de a lupta, de a te realiza, de a găsi o soluție și forțe noi pentru a merge mai departe.
Un citat care-mi place mie zice așa: Curajos nu este cel care nu are frică, ci acela care reușeste să și-o învingă, iar voi, doamnelor, prin poveștile voastre de viață, a-ți dovedit că sunteți învingătoare. Felicitari doamnelor!
Iți mulțumesc, draga Alice, pentru că ai creat aceste întâlniri care ne ajută să vedem viața altfel. Am descoperit că mai există oameni care știu ce înseamnă prietenia, curajul, iubirea, generozitatea, sinceritatea. Ai toata admirația mea pentru ceea ce faci! Te felicit!
Dorina
“Curaj, de asemenea cunoscut sub numele de vitejie, voință și cutezanță este abilitatea de a te confrunta cu frica, durere, risc/pericol, incertitudine sau intimidare”
Am ascultat cu mare interes cum fiecare dintre noi și-a luat curajul de a învinge obstacolele vieții ca să progreseze în viață, iar cu ocazia asta am admirat succesul fiecărei curajoasele doamne.
Mi-a făcut mare plăcere mulțumită lui Alice, să mai cunosc încă două femei extraordinare.
Multe mulțumiri și aprecieri dragă Alice pentru această întrunire plăcută și pentru munca depusă cu atâta pasiune și dedicație!
Cu o tema atat de vasta precum Curajul in cele doua ore de intalnire cred ca am reusit sa atingem doar varful...icebergului.
Actele de curaj generate de procesul imigrarii si adaptarii la o viata noua a celor din grup sunt remarcabile, demne de o a se scrie o carte despre ele.
Sa speram ca vom avea ocazia sa mai discutam pe acesta tema pentru ca sunt multe, multe alte fatete a acestei trasaturi, stari, a fiintelor umane.
Mi-a facut placere sa revad prieteni vechi ai cercului, dar si sa le cunosc pe Mirela si Marinela care s-au alaturat la aceasta intalnire pentru prima data grupului.
Frumoasa povestea postata de tine, Alice, despre Curajul de a fi adevarat in primul rand tie insuti si a-ti asuma toate riscurile ce decurg din aceasta.
Va doresc tuturor curaj in toate, zile senine si Sanatate,
Lidia
Ca un ecou ma urmareste replica Cehoviana “…principalul nu e gloria, nu e stralucirea [ … ]ci putera noastra de a indura. Sa stii sa-ti porti crucea si sa-ti pastrezi credinta.” Oare e curaj sa mergi mai departe sau curaj inseamna sa ramai si sa induri…?oare a fost mai curajos Cioran care a devenit “scepticul de serviciu al unei lumi in declin” sau a fost mai curajos Tutea care a ramas sa infrunte agonia Aiudului? Acestea sunt cateva intrebari la care am reflectat dupa discutia noastra. Multumesc draga mea Alice pentru ca ai deschis arena unei dezbateri sincere pe aceasta tema; si multumesc tuturor celor care au strans cioburi de amintiri pentru a reface din lumini si umbre acest vitraliu – CURAJUL.
Multumesc , Draga Alice, pentru seara minunata petrecuta virtual in compania unor doamne deosebite carora viata le-a oferit prilejul sa dovedeasca ce inseamna curajul .
Daca ar fi sa privim in urma , fiecare dintre noi am putea transmite mesaje puternice despre incercarile la care ne-a supus viata si carora le-am facut fata cu success pentru ca am fost curajoase.
In societatea noastra deviza fiecarei femei cred ca ar trebui sa fie: “ Eu vreau si eu pot mai mult decat societatea ma lasa sau ma face sa cred ca pot “
Va doresc tuturor numai bine,
Marinela,
Personal sunt foarte onorata si incintata pentru timpul petrecut impreuna la Book-Club, “Alice & Friends Circle”. Apreciez foarte mult dedicatia si sufletul pe care il pui in aceasta initiativa.
Am cunoscut persoane deosebite, talentate, cu povesti deosebite si Curajoase. Astept cu nerabdare o noua reintilnire.
Toate proiectele tale de pe website sunt minunate, fascinante, pline de viata, romantice – le ador.
Te felicit din tot sufltul pentru efortul si dedicatia pe care o depui pentru realizarea acestor minunate proiecte. Pasiunea si talentul isi spun cuvintul.
Multumesc lui Dumnezeu ca mi te-a scos in cale.
Cu drag,
Mirela
Cu mult drag, Dana si la randu-mi calde multumiri pentru comentariul oferit, cat si pentru participare...mi-a facut mare placere sa putem dialoga, intr-un mod deschis si autentic, pe o tema ce vizeaza viata de zi cu zi a fiecarui om.
Intr-adevar, experientele dezvaluite de catre toate invitatele serii au fost absolut deosebite si chiar inspirante, pentru ca sunt povesti adevarate, situatii povestite de catre oameni adevarati, demni si integrii.
Pana la proxima revedere iti doresc numai bine!
Alice
Draga mea Dorina,
Iti multumesc frumos pentru acest comentariu autentic si ”luminos”, ce exprima pe deplin deosebita stare de spirit a intalnirii respective...este adevarat ca toate am fost pe aceeasi lungime de unda, discutiile au fost extraordinar de sincere si deschise, iar dorinta de a relationa (de la suflet la suflet) a fost clara si nobila.
De asemenea, calde multumiri pentru aprecierea muncii pe care eu o depun pentru a dezvolta acest cerc, cat si pentru continua sustinere oferita – sustinere pe care o pretuiesc din tot sufletul!
Te imbratisez cu mult drag si pana la proxima revedere iti doresc numai bine!
Alice
Cu multa placere, draga mea Rodica si la randu-mi sincere multumiri pentru participare si sustinere...imi face o placere absolut deosebita sa te stiu aproape!
De asemenea, inca odata multumiri pentru deosebitele experiente de viata pe care ai avut amabilitatea de la le impartasi intregului grup....toate am fost de-a dreptul fascinate de cele auzite!
Pana la proxima revedere iti doresc numai bine!
Cu mult drag,
Alice
Mi-a facut mare placere ca ai putut participa, Lidia si asa cum spui, povestile depanate au fost de-a dreptul deosebite, inspirante si pline de substanta!
Este adevarat ca subiectul in sine este foarte vast si tare mult ma bucur ca a starnit un viu interes....cu siguranta ca pe viitor o sa mai abordam si alte fatete, din multitudinea celor existente.
Personal sunt extraordinar de incantata ca cercul nostru creste asa de frumos!
Pana la proxima revedere iti doresc numai bine!
Alice
Cu multa placere, draga mea Emilia...tare mult m-am bucurat ca ai putut participa!
Da, asa-i cum spui....”vitraliul” curajului, cu toate luminile si umbrele pe care le presupune sau implica la un moment dat, mereu ne intriga, ne fascineaza, ne seduce si ne conduce intr-un preriplu (specific fiecaruia), lasand amprente unice pe fiecare suflet ”atins”!
Te imbratisez cu drag,
Alice
Cu multa placere, Marinela si inca odata multumiri pentru participare! Ma bucur mult ca te-ai simtit bine in compania invitatelor serii si cu mare drag o sa te astept si la viitoarele intalniri de carte.
Numai bine,
Alice
Draga mea Mirela,
Calde multumiri pentru frumoasele cuvinte apreciative, care-mi umplu sufletul de o adanca bucurie launtrica, simtind ca munca pe care o depun pentru acest cerc este bine primita de catre sufletele frumoase si bune!
Ma bucur nespus de mult ca rezonezi cu profilul initiativei ”Alice & Friends Circle” (Alice & Friends Circle™) la care tin foarte mult si care este foarte aproape de sufletul meu.
In continuare iti doresc numai bine si cu multa placere o sa te astept si la viitoarele intalniri de grup!
Alice
New comments are not allowed.