Smash365: Courage

Feb 28, 2012 by

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. ~Mark Twain

Fear resides in each of us in different ways, at different levels, and for different things. Too often, we take the easier road and avoid it altogether. But when we do, we sacrifice so much of who we are and what we are capable of doing.

Today in your writing, have the courage to face one of those fears. Write it at the top of your page and then begin writing freely, without judgment, about that fear.

Don’t be surprised if, at first, you dodge the fear in your writing. Give yourself the time and the judgment-free space to work toward it. Just keep writing about it and approach it at your own rate.

When you are finished, recognize the courage you had to even write about it. As Twain says, the mastery of fear defines our courage.

Want that extra boost to keep writing on a daily basis? Download our free PDF guide on keeping your resolutions and living a more fulfilling life.
Want to respond to this prompt? Leave a link or comment below, or join the discussion on Twitter and Facebook

Take the Pledge.

Rus VanWestervelt is a writer, photographer, owner of Ravenwater Press, and Teacher-Consultant with the National Writing Project. He is the founder and editor of Maryland Voices, a creative nonfiction journal for high school writers and educators. Rus has published hundreds of articles locally and nationally, and nearly all of them relate to writing and living an inspired life. His latest work of fiction, Cold Rock, was released December 9, 2011 and can be ordered at Amazon or at ravenwater.com. For more information about Rus and his work with writers, you can visit his website here.

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  1. Dawn Herring
    February 28, 2012

    Rus,
    This is one of the vital benefits of journal writing: facing our fears. I love the openness and gentleness of your approach. We have to be kind to ourselves when dealing with the issue of our fears. I like how you suggest approaching our fears at our own rate. Our journals are the safe place to do so.

    I have chosen your post, Smash365: Courage, for the #JournalChat Pick of the Day on 2/28/12 for all things journaling on Twitter.
    I will post a link on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, my blog and website Refresh with Dawn Herring, and in Refresh Journal, my weekly e-journal:http://www.refreshwithdawnherring.blogspot.com/.

    You’re welcome to join us for #JournalChat Live on Thursdays at 5 EST/2 PST for all things journaling on Twitter; our topic this week is Your Journaling: A Winning Entry.

    Thanks again for this vitally important topic of journaling our fears.

    Be refreshed,
    Dawn Herring
    JournalWriter Freelance
    Host of #JournalChat Live and Links Edition on Twitter

    Reply

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