Why ‘Gentle Courage’?

Recently a few people have asked me: “Why Gentle Courage?” trying to understand the (kind of) contradiction between the two words. In response, I tend to mumble something incoherent, leaving both of us more confused! I mean, why not Roaring Courage? Or Tough Courage? Strong? Brave? Unfailing? And… the truth? The truth is, I’m not really sure. The idea of Gentle Courage just came to me and felt right. It felt SO right.

On my own mindfulness ‘journey’ (forgive me poor reader, I really hate that word), I read numerous mindfulness books but couldn’t quite relate to them. They were written by Professors of Psychology or Zen Buddhist Monks. I didn’t find mindfulness books that were written by women who I could relate to. I didn’t find books that were written by strong women who, to the outside world, were rocking it, yet inwardly were dealing with their own ridiculously high expectations. Women who were honest about those hidden moments when they felt wobbly and vulnerable. Women who sometimes just wished that the world would pause so they could catch their breath.

The books I read weren't written for me so consequently I felt that maybe mindfulness wasn't for me… until… I started to put it into action. Until I started to transform the theory into my own practice while continuing to be just a normal person living in a crazy world.

For those of you who don't know me, foremost, I am a woman and proud to be so. However, I am also clearly aware of my failings. I have a temper. I get moody. I feel insecure. I sometimes get scared. Rationally, I realised that this was all put of being human yet emotionally, I felt I was lacking. So therefore gentle courage is about understanding your quirks but still being able to go out into the world and do your thing. Gentle courage is about being able to show kindness to others even when you feel that you, yourself are not enough. It’s about allowing you the space to reflect and come back to life with your core-being feeling that little bit stronger.

I would love to write a few mantras and hope that they work for you but the reality is, they won’t. Mantras just tell you want you’re doing wrong. They tell you what you should be feeling, thinking, doing and I'm not here to do that. In the long run, that doesn't help.

Instead, mindfulness gives you a little space from your ingrained thoughts and feelings. It allows some self-compassion. It allows you to observe your habitual responses which gives you the opportunity for change. I genuinely want to hear about your successes and challenges of mindful-living in the real world (not some clinical trial or yoga retreat). I want to be part of your ‘journey’ (despite STILL hating that word).

At gentle courage, we rely on our community of life-writers. Have you overcome a difficulty in life? Have you read a book that has inspired you to change your mindset? Would you be able to write about it? Come join our community of life-writers.