As a child, how often have you heard questions such as, who would you like to be like when you grow up? As an adult you may have been asked, ‘Who stands out as a great role model for you?’ In my entire life on this earth, I’ve never heard anyone say, ‘I would like to be me’ or ‘Me. I’m a great role model’. I know that saying the second sentence may sound conceited but surely you could to a close friend without being judged? (Perhaps it all depends on the delivery 😊).
Think about it. We are on this earth for a short period and sooner or later we all have our fair share of adversity to navigate. It’s part of the human experience.
Every time we come through the other side, it demonstrates our grit and strengthens our resilience. It takes courage and grit to work through adversity and challenges, so why not be your own role model, your own hero if you will?
Some things to reflect on:
- Walking out of a toxic relationship and starting again (not only surviving but thriving as a result!)
- Speaking out in the workplace when you’ve seen unfairness
- Protecting those who need protection at the risk of your own safety
- Starting a business
- Starting a business and still being in it after 5, 10 or 15 years
- Starting a business and leaving it after 2 years because it’s not what you thought it would be
- Swimming a vast distance
- Reaching a summit
- Traveling solo
- Writing a novel (even if it hasn’t sold)
- Training for a marathon and crossing the finish line
- Training for a marathon, taking part and NOT crossing the finishing line
- Caring for someone in palliative care
- Surviving a natural disaster
- Been given a diagnosis that changed your life
- Having a serious accident and being determined not to let any limitations become problematic
- Advocating for people who need your voice
- Continuing to choose to live when you lose someone you dearly love
Part of the human experience is to learn from mistakes made whether that comes from mistreating people, misreading a situation that goes terribly wrong or being in the wrong place at the wrong time and dealing with the consequences. If you’ve lived a life where so much has been thrown at you and you are still standing, then have the courage to say to yourself, I am my own hero.
I invite you to take stock of what’s happened so far in your life. If you don’t want to be number one in your top five of heroes/heroines, then at least be on the list. Reading this means you are still here on this earth right. It has to mean something.
I’ve collated some Courage Unravelled podcast episodes to listen to with the above in mind. I hope you enjoy them.
- ‘Be your own hero.’ S2 Ep 12. Tanya Princi
- ‘Breaking through the Fear Mindset to Reach Success.’ S2 Ep. 11. Imogen Mason
- ‘Rural Divorce: The gift of a stronger you.’ S5 Ep.25. Libby Finlayson
- ‘A Running Miracle.’ S4 Ep 24 – Donna Campisi
- ‘North Star Shining Bright.’ S4 Ep. 14. Carly Israel
- ‘Standing Tall in Resilience.’ S3 Ep 15. Sana Turnock
- ‘Walking in Two Worlds.’ S3 Ep13. Jahna Cedar
- ‘Defying Terminal Illness by Living Well’. S1 Ep.5. Karen Crutchlow
- ‘Moving through Grief: The courage & healing of a mother.’ S1 Ep. 2 Rebecca Tichbon
Courage Unravelled Podcast Sana Turnock
Sana Turnock is a keynote speaker, covering a variety of courage-related topics and workplace facilitator. More information about Sana’s services can be found here – Keynote Speaker | Motivational Speaker | Facilitator | Sana Turnock (courageunravelled.com)