Sue Patton Thoele - The Womans Book of Courage: Meditations for Empowerment and Peace of Mind (Empowering Affirmations, Daily Meditations, Encouraging Gift for Women)

The Courage To Be Yourself

The Courage To Be Yourself Journal

The Woman's Book of Confidence

Autumn of the Spring Chicken

Heart Centered Marriage

This edition published in 2003 by Conari Press,
an imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

With offices at:

500 Third Street, Suite 230

San Francisco, CA 94107

www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 1996, 2003 Sue Patton Thoele

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

First published in 1996.

ISBN-10: 1-57324-900-9

ISBN-13: 978-1-57324-900-3

Cataloging-in-Publication Data available from the Library of Congress upon request

Cover design: Maxine Ressler

Author photo: Page Eden Thoele

Typeset in Weiss

Printed in the United States of America

Malloy

10 9 8 7 6 5 4

www.redwheelweiser.com

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First I would like to thank Julie Bennett and Mary Jane Ryan, who, by believing in me and suggesting I write this book, gave me an opportunity to voice the things about which I feel the most passionate. Their professional expertise and personal friendship have enriched my life immeasurably. I would also like to thank my wonderful husband, Gene, and our equally wonderful kids for their unfailing support, kindness, enthusiasm, and hugs. I am so grateful to Joyce McKay, whose educated and loving feedback gave me the courage to vault my biggest emotional wall.

For the inspiration they have given me, I also wish to thank each of the writers whose words I have quoted. And a special thank-you to all the women whose stories I have shared in these pages. The courage you have shown in facing your fears and moving toward deeper personal and professional authenticity is an inspiration to me.

To Annabelle Woodard, my

wisely courageous spiritual-mother

and mentor, from whom I first got the

inkling I might be courageous, too.

IN THE SIX YEARS SINCE I FIRST WROTE The Woman's Book of Courage, my unwavering faith in women's courage has been underscored countless times. I've been privileged to walk with women who are healing from excruciating losses and health challenges as well as those struggling through dark nights of the soul. And they have walked with me as I grappled with similar experiences. Together, holding hands and baring our hearts to one another, we have journeyed through the fires of hell to the mountaintops of light and joy.

No matter what the tribulationwhether it's negotiating a labyrinth of medical procedures or navigating through the darkness of disillusionment, despair, depression, the death of a loved one, or the need to regain our equilibrium after being marked by branding irons of shame or betrayal women have incredible endurance and courage. It seems that even when seared by sorrow and shrouded in darkness, the vast majority of us eventually bob to the surface, bringing with us valuable insights and increased compassion for ourselves and others.

Each time I'm aware of myself or another woman bouncing back (sometimes it's a low, slow bounce) from a tremendous challenge, I become more deeply aware of how inherently courageous and wonderfully wise women are. Of course, if a person is addicted to chemicals or to the roles of victim and martyr, her capacity for courage and rejuvenation is severely curtailed. But, even then, there seems to be some inner nudging, saying, Wake up! Life can be so much richer than this. You can feel, and be, so much more.

In addition to overcoming difficulties, women also have the courage to let daffodils bloom in their hearts, the wisdom to absorb the awesome joy of everyday miracles that surround us, and the ability to create cozy homes where love and laughter abound. Realistically, we're good! We're damn good! Unfortunately, we often don't truly believe that. Although we've made incredible strides toward equality, we're still prone to struggle with feelings of inadequacy and to shower our bestour compassion, our encouragement, our supportonto others while overlooking ourselves.

This is the area of our lives in which we need to increase our courage. It is essential that we expand our ability to treat ourselves with compassion, courtesy, and respect (even reverence). We need to have the boldness to remove the veil from our eyes and perceive ourselves as we genuinely are: beautiful, creative, loving beings with vast reservoirs of inner strength. Not without warts, of course; when we become aware of a wart sprouting, we can cultivate the courage to forgive ourselves and begin transforming the offending flaw. For most of us, forgiving our own imperfections and weaknesses is one of our hardest assignments. I knowit's definitely one of mine.

The Woman's Book of Courage is a compilation of meditations, affirmations, and true stories born out of my struggle to create my own feelings of emotional well-being and personal empowerment, instead of relying on other people or circumstances to give me a sense of strength and peace of mind. Like many women today, I often felt insecure and inadequate even though I appeared competent and successful. I longed to possess the characteristics others saw in me. Beginning a quest to have my inner feelings match my outer appearance, I soon discovered that the positive attitudes, beliefs, and feelings I longed for were shrouded in a fog of fear.

Courage is having the strength and willingness to overcome our resistance and do what we feel is right, even though it is difficult and/or we are afraid. It takes tremendous courage to face our fears, though it is essential that we do. For it is only when we free ourselves from the leg irons of fear, accepting and honoring the wisdom, strength, and beauty we inherently possess, that we can truly find the happiness we seek.

The Woman's Book of Courage evolved from my twenty years' experience as a psychotherapist. In those years, I learned many ways to help women in their search for empowerment and peace of mind. Now I want to share with you the affirmations and imagery that continue to stimulate courage in me, my friends, and my clients. The techniques in this book have become invaluable guides along our ever-evolving path toward self-realization.

I firmly believe that our triumphs and our failures, our joys and our sufferings are the result of our habitual thoughtsthat what we believe in our innermost hearts will come true. Therefore, it is vitally important that we change the beliefs and expectations that keep us from experiencing success, peace of mind, and the ability to love fully.

What we have believed for many years often feels so true that it takes tremendous courage to have the strength to change those inner dictates. Affirmations and meditations are powerful tools for creative, positive change. Each segment in The Woman's Book of Courage gives you affirmations to use in reprogramming your subconscious. Many of the sections also provide a healing meditation in which you use your mind as a supportive friend.