Definition:

1. mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

So here we are with the word COURAGE…. the ability to withstand or master fear or difficulty with mental and moral strength.  I truly love this word as it has so many applications.  Two of my real life acts of courage are:

1. On my honeymoon, I overcame my fear of ledges and jumping off a 30 foot cliff in Kona, Hawaii right in front of a water cave that will suck you in and swallow you up.

2. Overcoming my fear of the failure and starting my own CrossFit gym with my husband Shawn.

Now, here are two examples of great courage displayed on my part.  Based on how my life is going right now, this word has come to me as a message to have courage to overcome my fear of judgement by others…. to believe in my convictions (explained in a previous post) and live the vision of the my life I have created (again, see earlier posts).  Letting others judgements influence me is something that I have always struggled to deal with.  Whether it be a positive or negative judgement, I tend to over-react to people’s opinions because…. well…. I’m sensitive.  

On a contradictory note, I have a CONVICTION that “no matter what, I have to be happy with myself and my choices as I will have to live and deal with myself for the rest of my life.”  Other people’s judgements lead me into questioning my conviction and also if my visions for my life are meeting standards that in all reality, do not exist.    

So here is my pocket promise to myself:  I PROMISE TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF, TO LOVE MYSELF, TO STAND BY MY ACTIONS, AND TO BE PROUD OF WHO I AM INSIDE.  I WILL HAVE THE COURAGE TO LET MY LITTLE LIGHT SHINE!

Definition:

1. a strong persuasion or belief

2. the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth

  3. the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth

“Every great oak tree started out as a couple of nuts who stood their ground.”

The last few days have made the word “conviction” come to the forefront of my daily focus.  After doing the exercise in my last post on creating a vision of my life, I noticed that having more confidence in myself and my abilities in something that I am striving for.  Not second guessing myself, believing in myself, and living true to myself are all things I am constantly trying to improve…… Certainty (a synonym of conviction) in myself as a good, genuine person.  Lately, my convictions, or strong beliefs, have been tested and have brought me to these questions:

1. What are my convictions?

2. Do they fit in with my moral code and value system? Admit the truth.

3. If yes to #2, why I am letting other people’s negativity create un-certainty or doubt in myself?  If no to #2, where did those convictions come from and how can I change them?

Here are some of my answers.

1. I am a giving person that is always striving to find ways to make other people happy.

    I have a high standard of excellence for myself and others.

    If I am respected by someone, they do not try to take advantage of my giving nature.

    Be the change you wish to see in the world

    Healthy living (exercise and nutrition) = happiness, respect for self and others, smart

2. Yes, these fit into my moral code

3. My giving nature tends to push me towards feeling negative when I am being questioned. I do not like to let people down because of my high standard for excellence.  Because these Convictions fit soundly within my morals and values and because they create a beautiful vision of my future, I have no reason to feel guilty or bad about who I am because others do not fit or like my mold.  

New question:  How can I learn to immediately revert back to self-confidence after I have been questioned?  

Answer:  Two people that I have had the extreme pleasure of getting to know are great examples and role models:  Check them out by clicking on the links!

Greg Amundson

BUIYATAOO!!

Kate Rawlings 

Defintions:

1. a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination

2. the act or power of imagination

Since creating a VISION of my life is the main purpose of my writings, it is obvious that this should be the first word we focus on.  Based on the two definitions, it appears that “imagination” plays a big role in the one’s “vision.”  Personally, I am a non-daydreamer.  I tend to focus on the mundane, nitty-gritty details of the world around me and using my imagination can be a challenge.  I have been coming to terms with this as I have continued trying to become innovative and visionary in running my business, CrossFit Julia.  My husband, Shawn, and I are constantly striving to find unique and creative ways to help our clients reach their health and fitness goals and imagination and a vision of the future definitely come into play.  So, for today, the daily focus is this….

If the vision of the future comes from imagination…

Let’s write down , with as much detail as possible, the most perfect situation we can imagine in 4 areas. No boundaries, no rules.

1. Relationships and Family

2. Career and Finances

3. Personal Growth and Spirituality

4. Health and Well-being

Once completed, our imaginations will have created the VISION of the life we most truly desire.  

Feel free to post your VISIONS :)

Welcome to Life in a Single Word!  My goal is to provide one word and one focus that will help you make it through today.  In the process I hope to learn something new and create a beautiful vision of this thing we call life!

Enjoy and thanks for reading :)

Julia