Happy Easter From Living In Courage

Happy Easter to everyone this fine day.  I plan on keeping light and fun – and you?  It is all about gratitude, love and joy this fine Sunday.  Have some eggs and make sure they are really colorful.  Chomp on some chocolate, run around and play.  Today is for being grateful.  Whatever else you do just enjoy it to the fullest.

Thank you for your continued support of Living in Courage Online.  I send you love and peace.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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Courage – Got Some?

It is time to take hold of some courage.  Got it?  Okay, now go to the mirror and look into your eyes.  Say these words as you look at your reflection “It is time to call to action the perfect love within you.”  Say this three times.  Now, put your hand on your heart and say three times “It is time to call to action the perfect love in me.”  You can mix it up and say “It is time for the perfect love in me to move into action.”  You get the idea.  Sound corny?  Then maybe it does not resonate with you at this time, but if it does, you will find great value in this daily practice.

Perfect love is not compromised, it is divine.  Human love is joyful/ happy one moment, then fearful, sad, disappointing, jealous, angry, etc…the next moment.  I am not talking about calling on the love that exists in duality, which is human love.  I am talking about divine love.  I am talking about what has been missing in you for a long long time.  It takes a great deal of courage to look your fears in the face and decide what to do about each one of them. When you decide you have absolutely no VALUE in holding on to those fears, that they do not serve you in any way, then you can begin to remove them from your consciousness. By calling in the love that knows no opposites, you are talking to your power source and giving conscious direction.

You always get to choose.  You always have. We have become a fear based society through education, politics and religious dogma,forgetting our true nature is love.  Only love.  We live in a world where people criticize, condemn, judge, blame and gossip about everything under the sun.  Look where we are.  Not a pretty picture is it, but it can be.  It will be for some.  Your choice.  Which side of the fence will you be on?  Do you have the courage to choose peace for yourself and your world?  I hope so, for your sake and the sake of this planet.  You are needed.  I hope you answer the call back to love.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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Courage – How Easy Can It Be?

We learned about history in school – we learned about war, empires, great conflict, winning, losing and surviving. We learned about bad versus good. Did you learn about love? Did they teach us how to keep our bodies and souls strong in the light? How about courage, moral character, wisdom, peace, integrity? Did you learn about manifesting and abundance. I didn’t, not in school. Children spend all day in an environment that does not teach empowerment. Granted there are moments here and there, but for the most part, we learn social and survival skills to get by with in the working world. People have been led by the nose and taught what so called “Leaders” think we should know. There are layers and depths to this hierarchy of manipulation that most people don’t see or address. That is another story!

The bad guys can’t win forever. Corruption is being exposed at a rapid rate. The light will drown out the darkness. Be patient, it will be awhile yet before the darkness recedes. It is up to each of us, you and me to be the change we wish to see in the world and our lives. We are at a critical crossroads in history. Be the courage, be a powerful part of this historical shift on earth. I guarantee it will be worth the wait.

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but here goes.  Throughout your day say many times “I Say Yes To Life” and “How Easy Can It Be?”  This works by allowing you to carry a feeling of ease, grace and comfort, which shifts your energy.  This then shifts your life and opens you up to new possibilities, because the word “LIFE” encompasses everything.  Now go out and enjoy you day.  How Easy Can It Be?

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

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The Courage For Peace

The world can seem off balance as old systems crumble, making way for a peaceful new way of living.  We are all one. When we recognize that fact we truly will be living a new earth experience.

I quote a journal article excerpt from Rene Wadlow in her article The Courage for Peace -”Favoring a relational, intuitional, opportunity-oriented way of thinking and a community, interconnective, partnership approach to social relations, this new way of being is built on our emerging understanding of universal truths: matter is energy with meaning and motion. Life is not static, it is flow. We are not broken, we are whole. If we oppress others, we oppress ourselves.”

I don’t know about you, but I for one do not feel we are broken.  I know we are whole.  Until each of us rise up and take our power back and come together as a common voice, change will only take longer.  What is so hard about living in Peace?  Who would not want to?  Really now, who in their right mind does not want a peaceful life?  Who doesn’t want love? It is all up to us.  It is decision time. Time to wake up out of a deep hypnotic sleep. Choose peace, say yes to life and Life will say yes to you.  This new world is what courage is all about.

Debra Oakland @ Living In Courage Online

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We Are All True Champions Of Courage

“Have the Courage to love your humanity free as it seeks to balance the mind and heart.  In this balance you will find your freedom.” ~~Debra Oakland

A few days ago I decided to take my camera and walk into Laguna Beach, which is less than a mile from my home.  There have been many changes in Laguna lately.  Businesses closing, new ones opening or buildings left empty for the time being.  For some reason I wanted to document some of my favorite spots and old haunts on my camera.  I walked around willing myself to see Laguna as if I was visiting for the first time.

In the 20 years I have lived in Laguna Beach, I have missed many little details.  How very refreshing to see everything with a renewed sense of enthusiasm.  I think a great deal about courage. It lifts our souls and carries us forward.  Change may be feared at times but no change will transpire in time and space that happens before we are fully able to use it for our own growth and glory.  We are all true champions of courage when we lead our best life and share it with others.

Back to my walk about with the camera.  As I walked down an alley taking photos, I approached a corner and a small woman in her 70′s walked up to me and asked me if I thought it would be okay for her to pick one of the chrysanthemum buds growing next to us.  I said of course you can pick them.  We walked to the wall and she carefully chose the one she wanted and broke off the piece.  I noticed the care she took to hold it, as if it was the greatest gift.  A smile spread across her face as she looked at the little flower and ran her hand over it delicately.  We talked for 25 or 30 minutes as I asked about her life.  This little woman was dressed very simply.  I learned she was born in Brooklyn, left her career to care for her sick mother and now lives with her daughter in Laguna.  I also learned she loves to paint and sculpt roses.  There was an angelic quality about her and a deep inner strength that comes from living a courageous life.  I felt very blessed to have been walking down that alley to meet this wonderful woman.  I felt such a sense of peace about her.  That was my miracle of the day.  They happen to us every day.  I was very in tune with being in the moment that day, so for me the experience was magical.  If I had been in a hurry rushing right passed her, I would have missed sharing a very special experience I will never forget.

Debra Oakland @ Living In Courage Online

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Do You Have The Courage To Hear The Song?

I was laying in bed this morning in a state of stillness and peace.  I noticed sounds all around me.  I could hear cars on Pacific Coast Highway whizzing by. Von’s Pavilion is just below my house, which means I hear car doors opening and closing, cars coming and going, shopping carts being moved around, and people talking.  I heard the crows outside in the tree squawking . I was really wishing for silence. And then it happened.

The most beautiful song from a bird outside my window caught my attention.  I listened very intently.  Do you know what happened?  All the other sounds drowned out and I heard only this one bird.  It was as if all the other sounds dissappeared.

They call that power of attention.  It is simple really.  I lay there thinking about the the sounds I did not want to hear at that moment and the one that I wanted to hear.  What we place our attention on becomes predominant in our lives.  We can drown out the things in our lives we don’t want.  We get to choose.  I know we are all powerful creators, but daily life can drag many people down.  Many changes are occuring in the world. They must occur for the shifts this planet needs.  How do we get throught them?  We hear the bird singing, we stay focused on what is important in our lives and we come back to Love.  That is where all things heal.  I send you love in your life’s journey – please take the time to pay it forward.  You will find that what you give out will return to you.  Where is your attention?  Keep it on the good things.  Be kind and loving to others and it will be returned to you.

Debra Oakland @ Living In Courage Online

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Character Is Doing The Right Thing When No One Is Looking

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If I Had My Child To Raise Again

If I Had My Child To Raise Again

❤ I would finger paint more and point the finger less.

❤ I would do less correcting and more connecting.

❤ I would take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.

❤ I would care to know less and and know to care more.

❤ I would take more hikes and fly more kites.

❤ I would stop playing serious and seriously play.

❤ I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

❤ I would do more hugging and less tugging.

❤ I would be firm less often and affirm more often.

❤ I would build self-esteem first and the house later.

❤ I would teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love.

* Diane Loomans, Full Esteem Ahead

Blessings to all ❤

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Wealth, Success & Love

I love this story, it is about courage and choice.  At this time many people are making new choices in many areas of their lives.  Some of these choices have been forced because of the present state of the economy and some just look at the world differently now.  Whatever the reason, it takes courage to change, and change we must. I hope you enjoy this simple story with a powerful message.

Debra Oakland @ Living In Courage Online
Wealth, Success, and Love

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long
white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize
them.

She said “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry.
Please come in and have something to eat.” Is the man of the
house home?”, they asked.

“No”, she said. “He’s out.” “Then we cannot come in,” they
replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what
had happened. “Go tell them I am home and invite them in!” The
woman went out and invited the men in.

“We do not go into a house together,” they replied.

“Why is that?” she wanted to know.

One of the old men explained: “His name is Wealth,” he said
pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another
one, “He is Success, and I am Love.” Then he added, “Now go
in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in
your home.”

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her
husband was overjoyed. “How nice!!,” he said. “Since that is
the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home
with wealth!”

His wife disagreed. “My dear, why don’t we invite Success?”
Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of
the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: “Would it
not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled
with love!”

“Let us heed our daughter-in-law’s advice,” said the husband
to his wife. “Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”

The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, “Which one of you
is Love? Please come in and be our guest.”

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2
also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth
and Success:

“I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?” The old men
replied together: “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the
other two of us would’ve stayed out, but since you invited
Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love,
there is also Wealth and Success!”

Author ~~ Unknown

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Be An Architect of Courage

I am so inspired by people right now.  I see people around the world coming together for great change.  In the face of change I see Courage. It is deeply ingrained in our essence, our soul.  Courage can be tracked through the history of the world, it is an essential part of our humanity.

Maybe you think courage is reserved for heroes, yet it is a quality in each one of us that drives us forward, moving us in a new direction – it  whispers in our ear.  What is courage?  You are, I am, we all are. I am here to remind you, just in case you may have forgotten.  Never forget – courage in one is courage in all.

Think back through your life. You will remember many times when inner strength and courage were required.  These qualities helped push you forward through whatever was challenging you.  We are here to live our best life.  In doing so we encourage those around us.  Let’s all live our best life together as the true Architects of Courage we are.

Debra Oakland @ Living In Courage Online

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