linenandlavender.blogspot.com

VISIT OUR NEW SITE: www.linenlavenderlife.com


Courage and Fear

"Courage is made of fear." (Il coraggio è fatto di paura) - Oriana Fallaci - Alex with our meditation tree image by lb as seen on linenandlavender.net - http://www.linenandlavender.net/2013/10/courage-and-fear.html

"Il coraggio è fatto di paura" (Courage is made of fear.) 
As somebody who interviewed top world leaders during the 60's, 70's and 80's, including Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 & North Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap during the Vietnam War, Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, might know a thing or two about courage and fear.

The idea of courage and fear coexisting and even going hand-in-hand might not be a new one, but it has enjoyed more popularity lately thanks to the work of Dr. Brené Brown, who came into the spotlight for her TEDx talk on vulnerability, and her appearances on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday, and Lifeclass.  

She is also the author of several books, notably "The Gifts of Imperfection" and her most recent "Daring Greatly." One of the central points of her research is the idea that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather being authentic and willing to stand up and be seen, and in order to be vulnerable, one must be courageous. Being courageous does not require eliminating fear, but rather embracing it and using it to one's advantage.  The truly courageous experience fear, but act anyway, using their core values as guides to keep them "on course."

Often times, we experience fear in the face of our soul's greatest desires, so turning away from fear is essentially denying ourselves the joy of life's most fulfilling experiences. In an effort to say "yes" more fully to life -vulnerability and fear included- I've made the commitment to be more courageous and make some "big jumps."
Above the Clouds - Alex atop Palos Verdes - clouds covering ocean below - image by lb for linenandlavender.net - http://www.linenandlavender.net/2013/10/courage-and-fear.html
This must be an important lesson in my life at the moment, because it seems to be popping up everywhere I turn. (Ok Universe, you got my attention!)  

In addition to the above Oriana Fallaci quote (which I found researching something completely unrelated for my Italian language learning blog Didattichiamo!) - recently, Mom discovered the artist Emiliana Torrini and in particular her song "Big Jumps" (which we included as our song recommendation in Volume No. 01 ~ Issue 03 of our digital magazine, pgs 11-12.) 

I reacted immediately to the song and analyzing it a bit more in depth, it's easy to see why:  it encapsulates the themes of being courageous and daring in a straightforward and simple way, and sets these "lofty" themes to an upbeat tune and a charming video.  

Alex walking on Palos Verdes trail - sun over the ocean, image by lb for linenandlavender.net - http://www.linenandlavender.net/2013/10/courage-and-fear.html
It's become my own personal theme song, and I think you might enjoy it too:


I walked all morning to lift my heart
‘Cause the world keeps dancing with
The paper man.
I love you never talk in dreams.
The now is here, your happiness is real.

Oh, make some big jumps, big jumps
You afraid to break some bones?
Come on, do some big jumps, big jumps
Life is yours alone.
You hold your head up, your head up high
Like you think I do.
Do do do do do, do do do

Sometimes I feel so confused.
I’m under the illusion that I
Have to choose.
I love you always know the way.
The way back home always is the same.

Oh, make some big jumps, big jumps
You afraid to break some bones?
Come on make some big jumps, big jumps
Life is yours alone.
You hold your head up, your head up high
Like you think I do.
Do do do do do, do do do

Tick-tock this clockwork will stop.
You’re the key for winding up my heart.
Brick-brack if you don’t wind me up
The sky will lie upon me like a
Passed-out drunk.
Without you, I would never rise again.
Without you, I would never rise…

Hey there sunshine lift my heart.
I know life is long, but it goes so fast.
I love you never feeling old.
You never bought the rubbish that they sold.

Oh, make some big jumps, big jumps
You afraid to break some bones?
Come on make some big jumps, big jumps
Life is yours alone.
You hold your head up, your head up high
Like you think I do.



Here's to all of our next big jumps!
(Do do do do do, do do do...)                                  
Alex, linenandlavender.net

Alex Big Jumps -  above the clouds, Palos Verdes overlooking cloud-covered ocean,  image by lb for linenandlavender.net - http://www.linenandlavender.net/2013/10/courage-and-fear.html

images by lb for linenandlavender.net


Shop Brené Brown books by country:

The Gifts of Imperfection
(us) ~ (uk) ~ (ca) ~ (fr) ~ (de) ~ (it) ~ (es) 


Daring Greatly
(us) ~ (uk) ~ (ca) ~ (fr) ~ (de) ~ (it) ~ (es) 


visit our new site: 
www.linenlavenderlife.com

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

a few of our favorite things

a few of our favorite things
click image to view all items

Italia! per sempre www.linenlavenderlife.com

Be Love.

l&l collection no. 11

l&l collection no. 12 - It speaks to me.

.

. . . . . . .

subscribe

.Subscribe to receive our news and exclusive content by email, www.linenandlavender.net, click image to go to subscription form or go here: http://www.linenandlavender.net/p/follow-or-subscribe.html.

composition ii



Preview PreviewPreview


Fireworks from the Ponte Vecchio

Fireworks from the Ponte Vecchio
Giovanni Signorini (Firenze)

.




.

.Visit our new site: www.linenlavenderlife.com

This = Love



Search l&l:

Translate

At our house:

At our house:
{Cast iron deer plaque used as wall hook} 9.5"x8.5"x3.5" - $29.

Might I suggest?...

Might I suggest?...
Caprese salad is traditionally made with fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese –burrata cheese takes it to a whole new level...

Essential Oils ~ Gifts of Nature

Essential Oils ~ Gifts of Nature
There is something at once familiar and mysterious...

Appennino by Giambologna

Appennino by Giambologna
Between 1568 and 1586 Bernardo Buontalenti built a great palace at Pratolino...

John Saladino Feature

John Saladino Feature
"Every home should be a sanctuary...

Thinking Outside the Box

Thinking Outside the Box
...you'll be greeted by a peaceful storehouse of colors and textures —Feng Shui Heaven!

The Heart of the Home

The Heart of the Home
In art and design, we refer to negative and positive space...

Dream Weavers - Rumi

Dream Weavers - Rumi
I found my dreams but the moon took me away...

Wind and Water

Wind and Water
A balanced living environment generates well-being and a balanced life...

"It's a mystery."

"It's a mystery."
Even when all indicators seem in opposition to what I want...

Rose Tarlow, The Private House

Rose Tarlow, The Private House
...interspersed with enchanting memories of her childhood home "Windrift" and inspiration garnered from the green fields of Ireland to antiquing jaunts in the heart of Paris.

l&l life