The only question I ask myself at the end of this year

 

As the end of the year approaches, taking the time to summarise and reflect on our experiences can be a valuable exercise. In my own journey this past year, I had to confront my deepest fears and make changes despite not knowing what the outcome would be. Moving abroad wasn't just about changing my physical location, but about aligning my life with my true self and creating a sense of independence and authenticity in a new environment.

Looking back on this year and the bold steps I took towards living my authentic life, I realise that a powerful question guided my decisions and actions.

Am I living a courageous life?

This question provokes a range of emotions and forces me to define what living courageously means to me.

For me, living courageously means embracing self-awareness tools for personal growth and 

understanding who I am on a deep level. 

Living courageously also means being willing to change when something doesn't feel right.

It means not allowing external forces or the opinions of others to dictate my path but relying on my own inner strength. 

Love is also at the core of living courageously, loving unconditionally, and recognising that love is at the core of my being. Allowing myself to be vulnerable and open to love, even if it means risking getting hurt. Understanding that everything happens for me, not against me.

Living courageously means staying true to my own path, even if it goes against the grain of the world.

Living courageously means recognising and letting go of my own patterns. The poem "Autobiography in five chapters" by Portia Nelson resonates with me, reminding me that self-awareness and growth are a journey of repeated learning and progress.

I.

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost … I am hopeless.

It isn’t my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

II.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I’m in the same place.

But it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

III.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in … it’s a habit.

My eyes are open.

I know where I am.

It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

IV.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

V.

I walk down another street.

I don't claim to embody all of these points in my own life, but I know for certain that I am moving in the right direction.

I believe that even if we don't embrace courage in every aspect of our lives, the coming year is a great opportunity to find the path that leads us towards more fortitude and ultimately, a higher quality of life.

Let’s take the first step together and contemplate on what it would take for us to be a bit braver in the upcoming year.

Wishing you all a joyous New Year!