Courage is the word that comes to mind today and I reflect on all the courageous women before me, around me and ahead of me.
I think about the women who advocated for themselves to show up powerfully and get paid well despite all the push back and lack of support they received.
When you love yourself, you embrace the setbacks, the resistance, the naysayers because you know they can’t bend your character and who you are at the core. You are more determined than ever to be who you are and shine stronger.
I reflect on one of my most courageous moments and what I learned from it.
My Courage Story
The picture featured in this post was taken during my dry run of my give presentation to inspire employees across Microsoft to give to causes they care about. You wouldn’t know it but this presentation was only about 5 months after my dad passed away from brain cancer.
I had a HUGE fear of public speaking and there were so many moments that I said screw it, I’m giving up, this is too much pressure, I’m not good at this…but my connection to my father kept me going. I didn’t want to let my emotions get in the way of my focus so I would often brush off the pain saying I am ok and at peace with my father’s death but I wasn’t…
However, this wasn’t a time for me to be at peace (that could come later). This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was a time for me to embrace courage and embrace my love for my father and the love he had for me.
He never saw me as less than my brother. My father saw me as a strong woman who could accomplish anything.
I was going to stay strong for him and for myself.
To Me, Courage As A Woman Is About…
“Connecting to source of love and believing in myself enough to do something I have never done before and excel at it.”
Courage Is Messy But Do It Anyway
I remember it was only moments before this photo that I thought I was going to pass out in the bathroom because there would be a live audience and camera crew recording the presentation.
Wanting to puke in the bathroom, having a hard time breathing and sweating through my clothes before the presentation even begins IS MESSY but still choose to SHOW UP POWERFULLY & COURAGEOUSLY.
So before I stepped up to the podium to speak, I looked at the red tie on my left wrist and connected to my dad and my purpose. I had a story to share about the giving cycle and I wanted others to be inspired to do the same and create their own stories if they haven’t already.
What’s Your Courage Story?
Think about all the times you had to pull out your courage and do something scary or new
What is a new courage story you can embark on?
Maybe more than ever you need to embrace your courage to tell those racing thoughts that you are bigger than your fear. You need to embrace action because with your heart, hands and voice can create magnificent empowering impact in the world.
Conclusion
If you are a woman who is facing resistance, major resistance in some way… remember to connect to your courage whether that looks like a band on your wrist, someone you love or something else that means something to you so you can do that scary thing that will make you come alive and inspire others to do the same!
10 Responses
Beautiful story Leanne! You are really inspiring 😁
Thank you Steph! So are you! 🙂
You have immense courage sister. You continue to surpass yourself every day and I am grateful to be a mere witness to the contagious courage you emit. Thank you Leanne for all you do.
Thank you Tiffany for being a part of my life! You are one of the COURAGEOUS brilliantly unique women out there! Love you so much!
Leanne, you are a champ and a role model. I have so much to learn from you! I am doing what I can to write my courage story everyday. It’s hard and messy as you say. But I must keep trying. Thank you for inspiring me always 🙂
You are so courageous to be moving to a new country soon to create a BIG LIFE CHANGE! I am excited for you 🙂 Thank you for always being so supportive as well. I appreciate it so much 🙂
Love the story! You’re such a strong woman for going through what you went through. Sending massive love
Sending love to you too and you are one of the strongest women I know!
Every woman is courageous! We just have to dig it out of us. Thanks for sharing you story!
Absolutely! I hope to see more and more courageous women in the world!