one month into the new year and i’ve realized something.
some days it’s damn hard to be audacious.
i chose that word to represent my world in 2014.
but the reality is that sometimes, in order to be audacious,
i have to steel myself against perceived blows.
ensure that my skin is tough like metal.
i think you’ve probably suspected this by now, but . . .
not only do i write these words each week
to hopefully encourage, assist, enlighten, and uplift you.
i write to encourage, assist, enlighten, and uplift myself as well.
they serve as poignant reminders of how to do what i want to do.
how to be who i want to be.
but i also believe the words apply universally.
human struggles and victories.
attempts, failures, and triumphs.
we share that space.
what does audacious look like for me?
- like facing and acknowledging difficult situations, not running or hiding
- like being unafraid to write in my unique voice, because my story is important
- like venturing out of physical and mental comfort zones, though trembling inside
- like acting bold and powerful, when feeling unsure and ineffective
steel yourself.
make up your mind.
grit your teeth.
buck up.
prepare yourself for battle.
be dauntless.
and resourceful.
intrepid.
and brave.
throw it all out there.
open your mouth and your emotions.
no freezing.
no pretending.
no closing the door.
because the need for growth isn’t going away.
because the time to push forward is at hand.
what are you seeking that seems unattainable?
how do you fight against obstacles that rise up before you?
that feel unconquerable but nevertheless must be stared down?
living audaciously is BIG.
yet we must start small.
how can you begin to audaciously take charge of your life?
move steadily, easily.
perform one motion at a time.
take one new step today, then another tomorrow.
and in the words of winston churchill,
“never never never give up.”
steel yourself.
be audacious.
go.
i’ll be right alongside you, doing the same.
here i am, discussing my audacious goals for 2014 with louis davenport at his hotel in spokane, washington.
tell me about your audacious goal, plus the one thing you can do right now.
then go.
take that first step.
April, your own unique voice is so filled with truth, I couldn’t imagine the world with you NOT expressing it!
I love the way you weave your journey into deep lessons for growth, and you’re an inspiration for me to do the same with my work and writing.
My big audacious goal is creating a program that gives my tribe the practical tools to “see the signs” in their life so that they always remember that the Universe has got their back.
That one simple step? Well, I suppose I’m doing it right now – connecting with another like-minded soul who “gets it” to deepen my own understanding so that I can integrate it all into what I share in the world.
aw . . . thank you, sabrina. 🙂 and i simply love your audacious goal and the beautiful work you do!
This is just perfect April! It’s so true that we need to live big but start small 🙂 Thank you for writing to not only us but to continue writing to yourself. Sending you love. <3
sending love back, jenny! thanks.
How eloquently written. I think many of us are taught not to be audacious. To live carefully. Stay in the comfort zone. But where’s the growth, where’s the victory in that?
Thank you for encouraging us to be bold, to be audacious. For breaking out of the comfort zone so we can grow and shine. And thank you for your story.
One audacious thing I’m doing you ask? Well, I just left my home to start a new life in sunny Los Angeles. I’ve got a brand new life, starting a new business and ready to Shine My Light.
Much love,
i agree with you, jewels – many were taught never to rock the boat. i have to credit my wonderful mom for always encouraging me to speak up and to go after what i want. she was my first and best teacher. congratulations and best wishes on your audacious new adventure!
My audacious goal for 2014 is to complete my first book. Even though I am writing this story about my 35 year battle/recovery from anorexia, I will go forward fearlessly sharing from my heart! If speaking my truth can help one young woman or man to avoid that dark path, then it will have been worthwhile!
fabulously audacious goal, belinda – thank you for sharing it! i am very interested in hearing your story since i work with women who have physically recovered from anorexia and bulimia. congratulations on your bravery.
Here’s to living a fully expressed life! As for my audacious goal, I’ve thought a lot about that this past few weeks. I know that in order for me to honor my evolution, both personally and in business, I have to give myself large blocks of spaciousness in which to dream and scheme. I feel that necessity in my BONES yet “venturing out of physical and mental comfort zones” leaves me trembling, too. I’ll meet you on the other side.
i would adore your company on the other side, sue ann! “large blocks of spaciousness in which to dream and scheme” sounds lovely.
My audacious goal. To love. No matter what. No matter what I think. No matter where I go. No matter how many times I forget. My audacious goal is to love. Love big. Love wide. Love long. Love short. Love in between. Love. Love. Love and more love. Because that’s all there is. And that’s what will take me where I need to go. xoxoxo See you out there on the audacious path dear one….
thank you for sharing your audacious goal to LOVE, elizabeth! i especially appreciate how you acknowledge and accept “no matter how many times i forget.”
To be myself authentically and boldly and let this shine through in my work. To work more from my heart and less from my head. To keep moving forward, knowing that the fear is a good sign that I’m living audaciously!
yes, fear is definitely an indicator of audacious living, kelly. thank you for sharing your path and for being a bold example of meeting that fear head on!
I love the mini-posters that you created for this post!
I am in the midst of the most audacious goal of my lifetime — doing what I want to do instead of what others expect of me in my newfound career as a Writer.
How did I get here? I let go. I chose faith.
thank you, michelle. and bravo for doing what you want in the face of others’ expectations! wishing you the very best in your new career.
Being audacious for me is simply to keep going even though it isn’t easy and sometimes it sucks. I just ask myself what is the alternative and I never have an answer so I keep going. Thank you April.
the path is rather bumpy at times, isn’t it cheryl? hurrah for you – keep going, just keep going.
My audacious goal is to help more people on a larger scale. As I move forward, each intuitive step is towards creating a connected community.
i love that you are listening to your intuition along the way, susie. here’s to your audacious goal!
yes my audacious goals are to be published, to be serving a beautiful ever expanding community with my member site, my online courses my Mentoring programs. I aim to be doing some inspiring public speaking this year too. This work is making a real difference in people’s lives as they access their one inner wisdom and allow themselves to blossom with love.
thanks for sharing your audacious goals, deb. you are doing big and beautiful work!
April, thank you so much for really defining audacious for me. I totally get it now. And every single point you lay out is exactly what I try to focus on, especially these two:
like facing and acknowledging difficult situations, not running or hiding
like being unafraid to write in my unique voice, because my story is important
LOVE this! And thank you so very much for writing for us, but really also writing for yourself.
thank you, tania, for visiting my global studio and for your lovely words.