My theme for the A to Z Blog Challenge @AprilA2Z during the month of April is ~ My Life Is My Masterpiece ~ Lessons Learned
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“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”
— Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird.
The only way being Strong can truly be considered courageous is when we come to that point where there’s no other choice. Those times where we’re forced to act boldly, and when every part of us is resisting and wanting to run away. Not always is the ‘warrior’ someone on the battlefield. More often than not, it’s the person who is obscure and unrecognized. It’s that determination not to ever give up and to persevere to the end. After facing that choice enough times over our lives, we know that feeling of courage and we recognize it as a force that brought us through. We know we can survive anything!
“I wish I had known from the beginning that I was born a strong woman. What a difference it would have made! I wish I’d known that I was born a courageous woman; I’ve spent so much of my life cowering. How many conversations would I not only have started but finished if I had known I possessed a warrior’s heart? I wish I’d known that I’d been born to take on the world; I wouldn’t have run from it for so long, but to it with open arms.”
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~ ♥
The 2016 A to Z Challenge @AprilA2Z is 26 Days in April (No Sundays) of blogging using each letter of the alphabet as a prompt for each blog. My theme for this Challenge is My Life is a Masterpiece ~ Lessons Learned
![A2Z-BADGE_[2016]](https://meinthemiddlewrites.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/a2z-badge_2016.jpg?w=204&h=203)
Blogger users can also follow on atozchallenge2016.blogspot.com
* Note: My letter sketches were made from ideas I found on Google Images. *
Great post. Love your choice of quotes. There are many quotes about courage but these were very well-picked. I love quotes in general. Like another commenter said, they express the truth in condensed form.
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Thanks for you thoughts on this, Astrid! I just came across your comment and realize I didn’t reply. It only took me a year!!! 😀 Are you in A to Z 2017?
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I agree that a loud roar doesn’t equate courage. In fact, there are people who use their “roar” to intimidate and hurt others. Strength can come from a quiet optimism from within.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, Cynthia! I want to follow your AtoZ. It looks really interesting! 🙂
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Excellent post. The quotes are right on, another reason to love quotes — they express the truth in condensed form. ‘I wish I knew I was a strong woman’ … we spend so much time getting to that point in life … and yes, courage is not a man with a gun .. that’s easy, I suppose … that’s giving up on courage. Thank you for the great post. Very much enjoyed reading it.
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And Thank You, Sylvia, for your supportive words! It’s like a light bulb gets turned on and you begin to see just how strong (courageous) you really were even though you didn’t feel like you were. 🙂
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Courage… There are some people who are not afraid of anything. In my opinion they can’t be courageous because having courage means to fight fear. It’s sort of a couple. So I totally agree with the quote above “…to create strength and happiness from dark places.” (Kristen Butler).
You never know how courageous you can be if there’s nothing you are afraid of… Does this make sense?
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It makes sense, for sure! Thanks for your thoughts on this. I enjoyed reading your C post on Chipping Norton. 🙂
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Love this post! Thank you for the inspiration.
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You’re welcome, Katy! Just read your C for Cartoon! You’re never too old to enjoy the fun and creativity behind creating them. 😀
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I agree. ❤
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Very wise things to remember! A little courage will go a long way!
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I love this post~! I am a fan
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Great!! Thanks so much!! 🙂
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I loved the letter sketch and the quotes you shared. And I agree, true courage – true grit – is something that can help us overcome any and all adversities.
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I just took a look at your AtoZ posts and can’t wait to read them. I’ve been art journaling and now I’m looking for a good field journaling sketchbook for plants and flowers. Glad you stopped by! 🙂
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This is so inspiring! Loved it ❤
Cheers,
Srivi
The Piscean Me | Twitter
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Thanks Srivi! I’m looking forward to following your AtoZ too! 🙂
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Lovely post and a special note of appreciation for the beautiful and apt quotes 🙂
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I’m being inspired along the way just preparing these posts! Thanks Dahlia! 🙂
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You’re right! I think it’s interesting that not only did we post about the same word today, but from the same perspective. Thank you so much for commenting so I could find my way through all of the A-Z posts to read yours 🙂
[@NikisSimpleLife] #485 (as of today)
<a href="https://therichnessofasimplelife.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/c-courage/
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I was #100 when I signed up and now there’s over 2000 bloggers in the AtoZ Challenge. This is my first time and I’m really impressed. And having fun! 🙂
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It’s my first year as well. I just started blogging in January so I’m glad I saw it in time to participate 🙂 It’s a lot of fun and I’m enjoying the great connections and blogs along the way 🙂
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So inspiring Mary! What a great way to start the week 💛
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I just read your Strength vs Courage post! A very inspiring message also, Val! Thanks!
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Different perspectives allow new possibilities! Glad you enjoyed it Mary 💛
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This one is the best blog, I read today.
Kuddos!
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Thanks so much!! ❤ 🙂
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True courage is hard won. Beautiful post.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings (72) | Wittegen Press (74) | FB3X (AC) (75)
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Thanks Tasha! Good to be a part of AtoZ with you! I’m enjoying the challenge! 🙂
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This is so true Mary Lou (that rhymed!) because we women have often not been brave enough to speak up or to claim our place in the world – I think we’re getting better at it as we get older – I know I am at least 🙂
Leanne @ cresting the hill
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Well said, Leanne! …… And yes we’ve learned a lot along the way. 🙂
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Isn’t it a wonderful trait to have! Many of us are born courageous, while for others, situations make them courageous. However even the timidest of us can show courage and change perceptions. A great topic Mary! Thanks for sharing 🙂
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
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Thanks for your thoughtful comment! I hope your enjoying the AtoZ challenge! 🙂
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Très beau ! bises
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Merci! 🙂
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Totally awesome reminder of one’s strength and ability if they choose to recognize it. I AM courageous! Thanks!
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You’re welcome, Davina! We do have to remind ourselves. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
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