Courage — Blog — Courage to Caregivers

“When you learn to say yes to yourself, you will be able to say no to others, with love.” – Alain Cohen

It can be one of the most difficult things we have to do – saying no. But sometimes it’s the right thing to do. As we navigate our way through our lives, we can’t be all things to all people. It’s natural that some opportunities, tasks, or commitments simply don’t align with where we are at this point in our journey. Learning to say no is an essential skill for protecting our time, energy, and well-being. While it may be uncomfortable and even against our nature to say no, it’s a powerful way to set healthy boundaries and prioritize what truly matters.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 24, 2024Just Say No

How to Be Perfectly Imperfect

“Have the courage to be imperfect.” – Alfred Fidler

I say it all the time: “I’m a perfectly imperfect perpetual work in progress.” But this week, I get to dig deeper into what I mean by that. Our topic – progress over perfection – focuses on what we can gain by shifting from an all-or-nothing perfectionist attitude to one that cultivates progress, resilience, and excellence. When we realize it’s our progress that matters, and not our imperfections, we empower ourselves to grow – to be the best “work in progress” that we can be.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 17, 2024Progress Over Perfection

Feeling Stronger Every Day

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

When it comes to this week’s topic, finding strength amidst adversity, it’s not hard to find lots of inspirational quotes. In addition to the one from Nelson Mandela above, here are a few of my favorites.

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” ~ C.S. Lewis
“All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.” ~ Helen Keller
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” ~ Louisa May Alcott

CourageKristi HornerOctober 10, 2024Strength Amidst Adversity

The Power of Admitting a Mistake

"The most successful people are not the ones who never fail, but the ones who learn from their failures." ~ Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

It’s part of being human. We see a problem that needs fixing, or something important that needs to be done, and with the best of intentions, we do something that just turns out all wrong. We’ve made a mistake, and as I like to say, it’s all part of being a perfectly imperfect perpetual work in progress.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 3, 2024Learn From Mistakes, Learning From Mistakes

OCTOBER 2023 Newsletter: Cultivating COURAGE with Compassion

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes the courage is the quiet at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.'" ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

You may have wondered why we chose COURAGE to be a part of our nonprofit's name. For me, courage is something that is essential in a caregiver’s tool box, and it often feels ‘depleted.’ Courage to Caregivers aims to support caregivers by empowering them to channel their ‘inner’ courage - whether it’s a little or a lot. And, yes, it doesn’t always roar!

Brené Brown says it best in her book The Gifts of Imperfection: "The root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant ‘To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.’

“Over time, this definition has changed, and today, courage is more synonymous with being heroic. Heroics is important and we certainly need heroes, but I think we’ve lost touch with the idea that speaking honestly and openly about who we are, about what we’re feeling, and about our experiences (good and bad) is the definition of courage. Heroics is often about putting our life on the line. Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line. In today’s world that’s pretty extraordinary.”

We show ordinary courage in those micro-moments we demonstrate every day as caregivers. It may feel like micro-courage - yet, showing up every day and being vulnerable – that’s ordinary courage. It can be HARD - it definitely takes EXTRAordinary bravery and strength.

In The Courage Habit: How to Accept Your Fears, Release the Past, and Live Your Courageous Life, author Kate Swoboda shares four habits that supports us in cultivating courage - 1) accessing the body; 2) listening without attachment; 3) reframing limiting stories; and 4) reaching out and creating community. At Courage to Caregivers we're all about creating courageous communities as we support caregivers in building their courage muscles. Courageous communities give us the support we need to face challenges ... together. Swoboda invites us to consider "where are the courage-based relationships in your life that will make up your courageous community?" Who embodies the courage qualities of vulnerability, optimism, empathy, compassion, and kindness? Find someone to practice courageous connection or join one of our group coaching sessions where you'll get lots of practice. Practice leads to creating sustainable habits that, over time, will transform your life!

Check out our entire October newsletter focused on COURAGE here.

Push for Progress, Not Perfection

I’m a perfectly imperfect perpetual work in progress. ~ Me

Maybe it’s because I’m a lifelong learner… maybe it’s because I’m curious … maybe it’s because I embrace a growth mindset … I look at every interaction with another person as an opportunity for growth. Nothing ventured - nothing gained.

However, although I don’t consider myself a “perfectionist,” I do like things a certain way.

This week’s topic of progress over perfection encapsulates all of this month's topics - finding strength amidst adversity and learning from mistakes.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 19, 2023Progress Over Perfection

Own Your Mistakes, but Don’t Let Them Own You

“Your past mistakes are meant to guide you, not define you.” – Elisha Goldstein

Making mistakes is a part of life. But the way we respond and manage our behaviors and emotions when we make mistakes is the focus of our topic this week. By learning from mistakes, we can follow the advice of Elisha Goldstein in the quote above, to let our mistakes guide us rather than define us.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 4, 2023Learning From Mistakes, Learn From Mistakes

October Newsletter: What's in YOUR Courage Tool Kit?

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes the courage is the quiet at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.'" ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

You may have wondered why we chose COURAGE to be a part of our nonprofit's name. For me, courage is something that is essential in a caregiver’s tool box, and it often feels ‘depleted.’ Courage to Caregivers aims to support caregivers by empowering them to channel their ‘inner’ courage - whether it’s a little or a lot. And, yes, it doesn’t always roar!

Brené Brown says it best in her book The Gifts of Imperfection: "The root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant ‘To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.’

“Over time, this definition has changed, and today, courage is more synonymous with being heroic. Heroics is important and we certainly need heroes, but I think we’ve lost touch with the idea that speaking honestly and openly about who we are, about what we’re feeling, and about our experiences (good and bad) is the definition of courage.

“Heroics is often about putting our life on the line. Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line. In today’s world that’s pretty extraordinary.”

We show ordinary courage in those micro-moments we demonstrate every day as caregivers. It may feel like micro-courage - yet, showing up every day and being vulnerable – that’s ordinary courage. It can be HARD - it definitely takes EXTRAordinary bravery and strength.

Check out the October newsletter here focus on our theme of Courage here.

Be Proud of Your Progress

“The goal is not to be perfect by the end. The goal is to be better today.” – Simon Sinek

I love that quote because it speaks to what we’re all about at Courage to Caregivers. We’re not about perfectionism. We don’t strive to be perfect. What we do strive for is progress … baby steps toward personal improvement … embracing a growth mindset as we deal with all of the challenges we face in our daily lives … recognizing all that we accomplish along our life’s journey … and being “better today.”

That’s why I always say, “I’m a perfectly imperfect perpetual work in progress.” And this week’s topic, progress over perfection, is just another way of saying that our progress is what matters, not perfection.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 20, 2022Progress Over Perfection

You Don’t Need Me to Tell You How Strong You Are

The strength, resilience, and courage YOU have shown throughout the days and moments of YOUR life’s journey have combined to empower YOU. In our eyes, this is not what defines you, but it’s what makes us BELIEVE in you.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 13, 2022Strength Amidst Adversity

Three New Strategies for Dealing with Mistakes

Admitting a mistake can be empowering. By accepting our mistakes and taking responsibility for them, we gain strength and confidence in our ability to learn and improve. So, instead of trying to shift blame or ignoring the consequences the next time you make a mistake – and there will be a next time – accept responsibility for it, and treat it as an opportunity for YOU to make things better.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 6, 2022Learn From Mistakes

What's in your COURAGE tool kit? - October 2021 Newsletter

We KNOW that COURAGE is an essential element to resilience as a caregiver. We're sharing with you some of our favorite resources to build your courage. You can find our Courage Tool Kit on our website here. We LOVE talking about COURAGE - after all, it’s IN our name! We’re all about empowering caregivers, which is why it’s Courage TO Caregivers. We’re here, cheering you on, supporting you by your side in every way (and see below for details about our webinar on preventing caregiver burnout on November 18). We believe in YOU - oftentimes before you believe in yourself. It takes COURAGE to ask for help.

Read the full newsletter here.

Perfectionism Holds Us Back; Progress Takes Us Forward

It takes more courage to recognize that we are imperfect than it does to strive for perfection. That’s why I say all the time, “I’m a perfectly imperfect perpetual work in progress,” and it’s why progress over perfection is our latest topic in this month’s theme of courage.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 21, 2021Progress Over Perfection

Strength is for More Than Just Survival

Caregivers share many positive traits. Among these are strength, patience, tenacity, and courage. All of these help us respond to the unforeseen challenges that come our way along the road that is our life’s journey. They give us resilience and help us survive. But they also do much more than that … they help us GROW.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 14, 2021Strength Amidst Adversity, Strength

Gain Courage from Your Mistakes

It takes courage to admit when we make a mistake, but admitting, accepting, analyzing, and learning from our mistakes are all important steps in personal growth. As I say often, I’m a perfectly imperfect work in progress. That’s because I know I make mistakes, just like anyone, but I also know that mistakes can be learning opportunities. I try to think of them as guideposts to help me on this journey – not as a sign of failure or weakness.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 7, 2021Courage, Learn From Mistakes