Because I’ve decided that’s what really matters. The fire in your belly; the thing you would die for; the insane amount of love that overflows from you when you allow yourself to be vulnerable and trust.

It’s crazy really once you decide to live like this. A bit chaotic at first but grounding does wonders.

You know this but I’ll remind you: Who you are is not the “likes” you get on your FB page, or how many Insty followers you have, or even what people say about you in your testimonials on your site or to your face.

I want to know who you are in the face of transformation. Who are you when you think your life is heading down one road and all of a sudden it takes a sharp left turn? Who are you in the face of adversity? Do you fall into fear? Stand alone and become the victim?

Who are you while you stand in prosperity and abundance? Do you honor your strengths and how you got there? Do you remember those individuals who lifted you up and held your hand? When you have more than enough, do you share?

I stepped into this New Year as strong as hell … ready to take on the world. Excited … elated … refreshed and clear about my path. Radiant to be honest. Truth be told, my life is fantastic and I bow in gratitude every single morning before I ever leave my room. Because it wasn’t always like this and I know what a gift love is.

After four years of reorganizing, crying, doubting and struggling to remain in my space of light and love, I can finally say that I am “there”. And it feels amazing! I have my faith, my friends, my daughters and the light of the Goddess to thank.

Five days into the New Year I was knocked to my knees unexpectedly. Why? Because it was time for me to truly stand in my truth and really BE the pillar of strength that I am when I stand on my mat. You see, it’s easy to stand in strength when we are “doing what we do”. It’s easy to BE that when it’s an image to uphold or an idea to fulfill or even an example to set.

But at the end of the day, when the lights go out, or someone pulls the “wool over our eyes” and we are attacked to our core, that is when we truly see who we are, what we stand for and what we are made of. Do we forget the amazing magic and fall into the darkness? No, we keep moving … and moving into the light nonetheless.

We re-member our infinite light and love and we keep moving in THAT direction. EVERY SINGLE THING that happens TO us happens for us. And we are ALWAYS being called to stand in a deeper integrity and truth of who we are with MORE grace and compassion than we can imagine we hold.

What do I stand for?

Truth. Integrity. Follow through. Freedom. Justice. Love. Yes, all of that. And you know what? That hasn’t changed about me since as far back as I can remember. And you know what else? It’s flippin’ challenging to stand in that sometimes, especially when someone you have loved for so long takes that and challenges you to your core.

How do I handle it? With love, grace and understanding? Sure. I’ll bow to it all with gratitude. And oh, by the way, I won’t forget my sword that cuts through the bullshit with fierce compassion and authentic new boundaries either.

We are always changing... always evolving and hopefully elevating our Selves to a level that represents a higher vibration of who we are in the light. And remember, the dark MUST ALWAYS be illuminated in order for the light to reflect it’s deepest essence… always.

Don’t be afraid … go right into it. It’s who you are … beyond it all, IN it all. It’s who you are.

It doesn’t mean you will make the “right” decision … it just means you will make one based on your heart perhaps and not the inner workings of your mind.

I believe courage happens in every moment. It happens when you leap forward into something that is unfamiliar. It happens when you relax in the familiar. It happens when you speak your mind and when you listen. It happens when you move forward and when you let go. It happens when you stand strong and when you open up to vulnerability.

Courage happens every moment of every day.
Are you present to how courageous you are?

I was home with my oldest daughter this week, so I had a lot of time to think. I couldn’t focus on creating a whole lot while she had a fever so high that it made my own heart hurt. So I had a ton of time to think about courage.

And of course I was offered a multitude of opportunities to stand in courage. The thoughts started out as a pity party to be honest. “Oh my God it takes courage to be a mom!” You know, pretending that you’re not scared when you really are. “Keeping it all together” when really you’re scared shitless… literally. Then it went to, “I’m falling into fear here, I have to call in for back up”, meaning I called upon my lovely women friends who have the power to heal, help and love.

Reaching out takes courage you know. It’s actually one of the highest forms of courage because it’s about vulnerability.

The moment I reached out, I re-membered that it takes courage to be a parent, not just a mom. And then immediately, almost before that thought ended, I re-membered that it takes courage just to love. To love.

Courage to love.

What a concept. Yes … that is the courage of all courage.

To love what?

Another person. To trust them with your heart.

Your child. They will leave you, you know. They will go off and do their thing despite your dreams for them, they will do their own thing.

Yourself. Yes, it takes a huge amount of courage to stand in the mirror and love what you see. All of it, not just the good parts.

Your ex-partner. (or someone else who may trigger you) Gotta love them too. They taught you something AND you loved them… a lot at one point.

Courage to love … to love it all and move with a grace and ease that is palpable. To step out on a limb without knowing what is going to happen. To put your heart out there not knowing how or if it will be received.

Courage to be present …Yes .. to be present to it all. To SEE it all from the view of your heart. To WITNESS it all with breath and a knowledge that nothing is yours except your heart and your reaction to life and love.

Now, got get ‘em!

By Dana Damara

“My passion on the mat is proper alignment, powerful breath and effortless flow so you feel that off your mat. Your practice becomes sacred space where you arrive to find more meaning, depth, authenticity and integrity in your life."

- Dana Damara: mother, author, yoga instructor, speaker and yogini.

Visit DanaDamara.com for more inspiration from Dana.

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