Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Daily Dose of Courage

It's here. The end of the school year, with its mad dash to cram in every activity, program, project and ceremony imaginable. My kids don't get out of school until June 19th, and we move the very next week. There is something requiring our attendance and/or attention almost every single day until then. I'm not gonna lie...I feel like I am scrambling to keep my head above water. No need to list everything because any of you reading this know exactly what I mean. Most people I know are busy and overwhelmed. Lately, I actually have to remind myself to breathe deeply and remain calm...it's as though I'm constantly on the verge of panic. I feel like I'm frantically bustling around all the time. It's not a pretty sight.

This has led me to think a lot about courage. Courage to face new chapters in life. To face the daily batterings of stress and tasks. Sometimes I wish courage came in pill form. I could take it each morning with my Synthroid. But then, I guess courage would lose some of its value if we could simply swallow it with water. Instead, I need to breathe slowly and deeply, spend more time on my knees, read my scriptures, and remember that everything will slow down soon enough. Maybe I can even enjoy this crazy chaos? Is that possible? I'm not sure, but I'll give it at try.

During the next few weeks, I won't be here in this spot as often as I'd like to be. I won't be leaving you as many comments as I wish I could. Can you forgive me? Thanks. Even though my time in blog world will be extremely limited, I'm always sending happy thoughts of love, peace, and hope your way! Don't forget that. And now, I leave you with some of my favorite courage quotes:

"Courage is to feel the daily daggers of relentless steel and keep on living." ~Douglas Malloch

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says: I will try again tomorrow." ~Mary Ann Radmacher

"The most difficult of decisions are often not the ones in which we cannot determine the correct course, rather the ones in which we are certain of the path but fear the journey." ~The Locket, by Richard Paul Evans

11 comments:

L said...

I do know exactly how you feel! School is out for us but the busy doesn't seem to go away.

courage in pill form I could get on board with.

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says: I will try again tomorrow." ~Mary Ann Radmacher

I love that quote. I really, really love that quote. I don't have a roar in me these days - just a purr maybe. Some days not even that!

Love,
L

Em said...

i think i'm going to avoid the zoo like the plague for the next 3 weeks, as i am remembering that the last week of school is devoted to field trips...especially to the zoo.

Mommy (You can call me OM) said...

Wow! Late end of the school year back East! We're out the first week in June. We're mostly through the busy, busy days of concerts and whatnot. A couple picnics remain and that's it.

However, all three kids have been sick. So, the last days of school have been spent at home lately! :)

I know you'll do wonderfully, but don't be afraid to come here and vent if need be. I'm excited for your move -- maybe because I don't have to do it! :) But, I am excited that you'll be 'going home' - closer to it anyway.

Peace.

SnarkyMama said...

Ooohhhh..I love the quotes! Great quotes. I know you do not EVEN want to hear this, but "this too shall pass." Now, having said that, let me say that this is one time I say that with a little tinge of sadness. How I miss those "crazy" days...never did I think (especially when I was trying to summon up that courage you speak of) I could miss the chaotic, hectic, demanding and all consuming schedule.

But, indeed, there are many days that I do...doesn't help you while you are trying to scale that "mommy mountain" with all its rough terrain, I know. But, when another few decades have passed and you are watching, from a distance, those moments...nothing will prick your sould and stir your spirit like these memories....I promise.

So, do exactly that...breathe deep and speak these infamous words
"After all, tomorrow is another day!" See, even Scarlet knew she could "try again tomorrow."

I love you...see you soon!

karen said...

I think I'm with Snarky Mama. I never thought I'd miss all the hustle bustle, but I find that I do. The quiet is nice, but I get so I really yearn for the confusion and chaos of kids and grandkids around. Keeps my brain from rotting, I'm sure of it. But I do remember being in your place and wondering if it would ever end. It does, I promise, and other wonderful things happen. But savor today's chaos, because I also promise you that you'll look back and miss it one day. Take it one day at a time - you'll make it! I'll be thinking about you.

Unknown said...

Oh, I'm feeling those relentless daggers of steel right now too. I keep telling myself that I need to take a deep breath and enjoy this moment as much as possible. The crowd officially cleared out of the house this morning and I ended up crashing with a migraine. So, I had the courage that held me through until today at least. I'm so looking foward to seeing you happily settled in your new beautiful home. I know that will be a great reward for all of the craziness of life right now.
I know that courage for me has come from prayers of those who love me and watch over me...thank you. ♥

Susan Anderson said...

Yeah. What Snarky Mama and Karen said...

=)

PS. I never would have believed how much I miss all the craziness!

Unknown said...

i’m an associate of mary anne radmacher’s and saw you’ve enjoyed her quote, “courage doesn't always roar.” i know mary anne is so happy when people find inspiration from her words in the context of their daily lives. for more work from mary anne’s hand visit her website maryanneradmacher.com. mary anne has written several books and shares her work in many forms including conferences and classes. If you’d like more information feel free to e-mail me at jessicaformaryanneradmacher@gmail.com. thanks for sharing her words!

Fiauna said...

Ooh, I love the second quote. Thanks for sharing.

I hope things all go well during this period of craziness. I'll still be here when you get back.

jen said...

I'm in the midst of the crazy myself, and it just gets worse for the first month of summer. I'm already feeling like I neglect my cyber friends. But sometimes reality is all I have time for. Like we need one more arena to feel guilty about!
Good luck with everything, especially the move.

Shauna said...

Girl, take a big breath and try to enjoy the journey. This is such an long awaited special time for you and your family. i need to take my own advice:)