{monday's mantra :: on courage}

Happy Monday friends! We spent the weekend decorating for Christmas (of course), watching One Tree Hill on Netflix (I'm obsessed!), and doing some crafting for Christmas gifts. This week is just more of the same, and I'm hoping to get some more writing done. 

This week's mantra is one that means a lot to me. I've been thinking of what courage means, for me these days, and what it means for me to put myself out there. I have a lot of dreams and goals that I want to accomplish, and I like to think I have a lot of potential. But none of it means anything if I don't put myself out there.

For example, I'm writing a book. I know, I've been saying that for years now, but I'm getting close. I've been feeling good about it these days, but finishing it is a terrifying thought. What am I supposed to do with it when I'm done? What if people hate it? And it's not just my writing; what if they don't like my blog or my wedding design or my calligraphy?

We all have talent, and we all have the ability to develop new talents and passions. What matters, however, is what we do with that talent. It's okay if we're scared to put ourselves out there. We should be! Lord knows I am absolutely terrified every time I hit publish on a blog post or send out a calligraphy order. I don't even want to think about how I'm going to feel when I finally get that book out in the world (and it will happen, I promise). But I know that I can do this, because I'm brave enough to do it. Because the pros outweigh the cons, ten to one. Whether or not anything will become of it is yet to be seen, but the least I can do is try.