Day 20 of 30 Days of Bravery
👁 INTENTION
Today, let's channel our inner social butterfly to nurture our connections and brighten our collective well-being.
Imagine a world where every hello opens a door to a new adventure, where every conversation is a bridge to understanding, and where our social bonds are the lifelines that sustain our happiness and health. Today, we're diving deep into the art of being outgoing, not just for the sake of making friends but to enrich our lives and those around us with genuine connections and heartfelt moments. Together, we'll explore how stepping out of our social comfort zones can lead to a more joyful and fulfilling life. Let's make today the day we reach out, engage, and weave stronger social fabrics that hold our communities together.
💡 INSPIRED POEM
In every moment, let us seek
the courage to be bold and speak.
To open up our hearts and minds
and leave all doubts and fears behind.
For in our connections, we will find
the inherent beauty of humankind.
A world of joy and boundless love
that lifts us up to realms above.
💬 QUOTE
“To be a heroine is to be outgoing and strong-willed.”
– Sunday Adelaja, a notable figure, reminds us of the power and strength found in reaching out and connecting with others, embodying the spirit of a true heroine.
🧬 SCIENCE
In one of the world’s longest studies (75 years) of adult life, as part of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the clearest takeaway has been that good relationships keep us happier and healthier.
The study found that social connections are really good for us and that loneliness kills. People who are more socially connected are happier, physically healthier, and live longer than people who are less well connected. The experience of loneliness turns out to be toxic, and people who are more isolated than they want to be from others are less happy, experience a decline in their health, and live shorter lives.
Watch as the director of this study, psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, shares these findings in his 12-minute TED Talk:
📿 MANTRA
A flower just blooms.
Like a flower, we thrive not by comparison but by simply being our authentic selves. Today, let your outgoing nature bloom effortlessly, reaching out to others not in competition but in camaraderie and genuine connection.
🧘 MEDITATION
In today's 12-minute meditation, Gia helps us cultivate our sense of safety and courage within ourselves so that we can more confidently spread our light and beauty to others.
✍🏼 JOURNAL PROMPTS
Recall a conversation you need to have that you've been avoiding and explore the following inquiries:
- What is the best possible outcome of having the conversation I've been avoiding, and how can I prepare for it?
- What are the risks of not having the conversation, and what values and beliefs can guide me in taking action?
- How can I take care of myself before and after the conversation, and what insights might I gain about myself and my relationships through this courageous action?
🙏 MICRO ACT OF BRAVERY
Today, commit to one uncomfortable conversation you know you need to have.
Feeling out of place? Don't worry, the other person likely is too.
📣 AFFIRMATION
- In the company of kindred spirits, I find strength and inspiration, embracing shared experiences and ambitions to empower us on our journey towards greatness.
- With an open heart and unyielding courage, I listen to every voice and recognize the spark of greatness in others, fostering mutual understanding and growth.
- United in the thrill of challenge and triumph, we forge a destiny of unrivaled majesty, as our adventurous souls blend and embolden each other to reach new heights.
🙌 KUDOS
You've taken a step towards becoming a more outgoing, connected version of yourself. Each conversation and new connection you foster is a testament to your bravery and willingness to grow. Keep nurturing these connections—they are the threads that weave the fabric of our shared human experience.
Next, let's take this vibrant energy into the world and see what beautiful connections await us.
💬 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
What conversation opened a new world for you?
Share your story in the comments to inspire and connect with our community. Let's celebrate the power of outreach and the beauty of new beginnings together.
I contacted a buyers agent to buy a property and in the negotiation it seemed he always defended the seller interest and was not open to bring forth what I proposed. My boyfriend offered to be in the negotiation as I’m away, to ensure my interests are represented. The agent just emailed me asking who’s bringing the contract signed: him or my boyfriend. I wanted to avoid replying as I don’t feel confortable saying that it will be my boyfriend. I’m unconfortable admitting that despite paying him and keeping his involvement I lost my trust in him. I’ll try to be objective and respond my preference without judgement.
I seem to be the queen of procrastination recently. I’ve been putting off a few. Various fears come into play here. With one situation I am scared of saying no to a potential opportunity and closing the door on something. With another I am scared that the answer won’t be what I want to hear. With both though, I need to realise I am more than my fears, and that even if things don’t go my way, or how I currently view as the way I would like them to, it will be OK. Things will work out as they are meant to.
I’d like to contact friends to catch up with them, but I think they’ll say they are busy. I think I am just tired most of the time throughout the week to call them. So when it’s the weekend, I feel critical of myself for only now calling them. I didn’t realize I was having a hard time throughout the week that made it hard to reach out to others. I just critized myself for not contacting them earlier or often. I can be compassionate for myself now and will reach out to my friends.
I know this isn’t the prompt, but I really can relate to the quote by Sylvia Platt. My greatest impediment to writing, to creativity, is indeed self-doubt, combined with procrastination–which is fueled by self-doubt about creating the “right” and “best ” piece. There are many writing projects floating around in my head that, once I start putting in print, will hopefully be transformative and helpful to others.
I need to be brave and commit to writing as well. I have been brave and have committed to other areas with success…writing is one of the commitments I am most reluctant to do, even though I am a writer by training! Ironic, but true.
I can so relate to every word of this!
I need to have a conversation with one of my sisters, who is living with my mom even though she has her own home. I realize the rationale behind her staying with my mom due to my mom’s health is a small factor, but my mom is ready for her to GO HOME.
The weird thing is that my sister refuses to go back to her own home full-time. She stops off at her house,then takes advantage of my mom’s hospitality with free internet, tv, and food. My sister doesn’t contribute to any of these bills. However, she will create more bills by buying my mom “stuff she believes mom needs.”
I really need to talk with my sister about this. However, those who have talked with her in the past have been shrugged off with a “whatever” and my sister goes on her merry way.
It’s frustrating because my mom, who has a strong alpha personality, has caved to my sister for almost a year. I don’t want to dishonor my mom by butting in, but I don’t want my sister to dishonor my mom either.
When I need to talk to manager about some work, I always feel scared. I have a belief that I am not doing work properly, I am not capable, or If I do something, its not upto quality etc. Also I try to hide all these feelings, and postpone the task / talk.
I had overcome this for a period, thinking that I am a good programmer, I no need to think about manager/lead. In this way I had overcome the fear of doing work. But when I need to talk, this feel comes back.
Today I had overcome that. Started a conversation. I know, I no need to fear them. They are also part of the company. They are doing their duty in evaluating performance, giving tasks,and they have their responsibilities and their problems in the duty. So always good to have a good professional talk, complete the task professionally. If they have some good qualities in their professional way, I will adapt it and Learn from it.
when a gut feeling about not doing work/ its of low quality or I am not professional, instead of feeling fear, admit the gut feeling, and realise the only solution to it is just sit and do the work with concentration, with a calm mind (without fear, tension, angry.. etc).
The above scenario applies for family too. when I have a gut feeling about family duty/love, admit it, and with a calm mind try to balance both. family and office, without a gut feeling about any.
I need to divorce my husband. He is abusive to me and not a good father. FEAR in many forms has me stuck and not having the conversation. I just don’t know how to approach someone so full of self hate and anger.
Marianne, I know hoe you feel I am in the same situation. How do we do it?
I am fearless today
I need to talk about parenting plans with my ex husband.
I’ve been afraid of the conflict, so I haven’t initiated a conversation.
When I see him, I can make plans to talk by being confident and approaching the issue directly.
You are not alone.
I like to overhear conversations. I like deep one on one conversations. I like ongoing conversations over days, weeks, months and years1 I am a Voice! I am a writer!