OCTOBER THEME: COURAGE

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes the courage is the quiet at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.'" ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

You may have wondered why we chose COURAGE to be a part of our nonprofit's name. For me, courage is something that is essential in a caregiver’s tool box, and it often feels ‘depleted.’ Courage to Caregivers aims to support caregivers by empowering them to channel their ‘inner’ courage - whether it’s a little or a lot. And, yes, it doesn’t always roar!

Brené Brown says it best in her book The Gifts of Imperfection: "The root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant ‘To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.’

“Over time, this definition has changed, and today, courage is more synonymous with being heroic. Heroics is important and we certainly need heroes, but I think we’ve lost touch with the idea that speaking honestly and openly about who we are, about what we’re feeling, and about our experiences (good and bad) is the definition of courage. Heroics is often about putting our life on the line. Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line. In today’s world that’s pretty extraordinary.”

We show ordinary courage in those micro-moments we demonstrate every day as caregivers. It may feel like micro-courage - yet, showing up every day and being vulnerable – that’s ordinary courage. It can be HARD - it definitely takes EXTRAordinary bravery and strength.

In The Courage Habit: How to Accept Your Fears, Release the Past, and Live Your Courageous Life, author Kate Swoboda shares four habits that supports us in cultivating courage - 1) accessing the body; 2) listening without attachment; 3) reframing limiting stories; and 4) reaching out and creating community.  At Courage to Caregivers we're all about creating courageous communities as we support caregivers in building their courage muscles. Courageous communities give us the support we need to face challenges ... together. Swoboda invites us to consider "where are the courage-based relationships in your life that will make up your courageous community?" Who embodies the courage qualities of vulnerability, optimism, empathy, compassion, and kindness? Find someone to practice courageous connection or join one of our group coaching sessions where you'll get lots of practice. Practice leads to creating sustainable habits that, over time, will transform your life! 

“Courage is like a muscle; it is strengthened by use.”

~ Ruth Gordon

COURAGE AFFIRMATIONS
Use affirmations to inspire you or reframe your thoughts

• My mistakes teach me more about myself everyday.

• I have many strengths that support me through hard times.

• Laughter is a source of strength through adversity.

• I strive for progress, not perfection.

• I carry courage with me always.

APPS TO BUILD COURAGE

• Courageous Parents Network - The CPN mobile app offers an easy way for families and the providers who support them to find, save, carry, and share CPN content (videos, podcasts, guides).

• Make Me Better - This app provides daily encouragement by providing over 350 short articles about personality development, self-help, productivity, motivation, and more!

• NotOk - This app allows you to add emergency contacts that you can reach with a touch of a button during times of crisis. As their website says, “It’s okay to be not OK.”

ARTICLES

• How can we be courageous?

• How can we learn from our mistakes?

• How can we find our strengths?

• How can we overcome perfectionism?

• How to Find and Practice Courage discusses the science behind courage and what individuals can do to be more courageous.
• 6 Ways to Find Your Courage During Challenging Times reminds us courage can be just showing up - quiet perseverance. 
• 15 Strategies For Finding Courage When Facing Life's Challenges shares insights from leaders on how to persevere when you're feeling overwhelmed or uncertain. 

PODCASTS 

• “Dr. Brené Brown: The Can’t Miss Interview on Shame, Self-Worth, Empathy, and Living a Courageous Life” discusses the struggles of accepting yourself and your mistakes and how to move forward.
• Your Courageous Life with Kate Swoboda focuses on releasing the fear that holds us back. 
• “Episode 34: Finding Your Strengths” of the podcast "The Science of Happiness" interviews Korean adoptee Cindy Wilson on how she finds happiness by focusing on her personal strengths.

• “Embracing Setbacks and Your Way Forward” interviews attorney Ashley Menzies Babatunde and discusses how setbacks may not always be as bad as we assume.

• “Humor Us” discusses how humor can “provoke, cajole, and inspire” and can be used as a tool throughout our lives.
  

BOOKS

• Scare Your Soul: 7 Powerful Principles to Harness Fear and Lead Your Most Courageous Life by Scott Simon
• The Courage Habit: How to Accept Your Fears, Release the Past, and Live Your Courageous Life by Kate Swoboda
• The Gift of Adversity: The Unexpected Benefits of Life's Difficulties, Setbacks, and Imperfections by Norman Rosenthal
• Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity by Mark Nepo 
• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
• Courage Doesn't Always Roar: And Sometimes it Does, Redefining Courage With Daily Inspirations by Mary Anne Radmacher
• The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön

"Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen."

~ Brené Brown

Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? Being a caregiver is hard work, and it’s understandable to struggle to find relief through all of caregiving’s anxieties and responsibilities. Fortunately, Pysch Hub’s video "Prevent Caregiver Burnout" provides six suggestions for how to take care of yourself as a caregiver.

Let's also remember taking time to take care of your own health and well-being is essential - if you don't, you won't be any good to those you care for. It's about "giving others the BEST of you instead of what's left of you." ~ Katie Reed

Remember that you’re not weak if you ask for help and support - in fact, asking for help takes COURAGE and is a sign of strength. 

Create with Courage is a family-friendly fall fundraiser, focused on creative activities infused with nature! All the details can be found on the Create with Courage web page on our website here. I'm excited to get a head start on my holiday gift making! There will be a variety of activities including painting, paper projects and card making, wood and upcycled jar crafts, and creations with dried flowers.  You will come away with nature-inspired, giftable items - or keep one (or all) for yourself! RSVP by November 1 here to participate and reserve your materials. Then, you can donate HERE. 

November's theme is COLLABORATION. As human beings we are hard-wired for collaboration. Our brains have a need to connect with others in order to thrive. Throughout November we will focus on learning to say no, managing perceptions, compare and despair, as well as gratitude.  As we continue on the journey of discovering our true selves, setting micro-goals will guide us. Check out November's Micro-Challenges Calendar.

Courage to Caregivers Breathing Practice for November: Alternate Nostril Breathing

As we support caregivers to make breathing and meditation a practice, we're pleased to share our Breathing Meditation Facilitator Cathy and her monthly breathing practice how-to videos. You can join us for November's Breathing Practice - Alternate Nostril Breathing. With this practice, we can clear the mind and bring concentration and focus. This breath is great to do before a test or performance. You can watch the instructional video for Alternate Nostril Breathing here and remember to subscribe to our Monthly Breathing Practices playlist to stay updated each month! You can also subscribe to our Breathing Meditation playlist, where we upload our weekly breathing meditation recordings, and follow along on our Spotify Breathing Meditation playlist.