Hi there beautiful one! My name is Alex Alexander and my site is called Aylione – Courageous Heart. The name Aylione came to me as my spiritual name years ago while doing some deep spiritual work. Eventually the meaning of the name revealed itself too: Courageous Heart. Yup, I’m courageous. I can admit that and claim it now. It wasn’t always the case though. When people would tell me: You are so courageous… or brave… or whatever… I didn’t believe them. I was actually bewildered by these comments. I certainly didn’t feel particularly courageous. My life didn’t seem particularly difficult or filled with situations that required one to be brave. The choices I had made in my life seemed more about what was necessary and practical in the moment. What really needed to get done?
Courageous is a funny word.
Webster’s Dictionary says: Not deterred by danger or pain; Brave.
Synonyms: brave – bold – valiant – plucky – gallant – hardy
For me it represents that quality where one stands strong in the face of something that causes great fear in oneself: thus danger or pain. I used to think that it had to be something outwardly or physical coming towards me. Yes, I’ve been courageous in some areas of my life, like white water kayaking class 5 rivers or rock climbing overhanging cliffs hundreds of feet off the ground or spending time in the backcountry for weeks in bear country. That is what I thought was courageous.
However, when people were saying I was courageous, I wasn’t doing any of these things. I was just living my life and delving deeper within myself and learning about me and what makes me who I am.
Now I know the deeper meaning of the word courageous. I know it means standing strong and facing all those dark places inside myself. All those places where I’ve denied my true self from shining forth. Where I’ve hidden from the world in fear and pain. Where I’ve made choices that benefit others at the expense of myself. Where I’ve avoided life out of fear.
I have changed. I have learned. I am courageous in the face of myself. I stand strong in my darkest hours. I stand strong even when I want to run away and hide. I stand strong when life gets overwhelming. I stand strong when life seems hard and chaotic. I even stand strong when life gets very pleasurable.
The heart in courageous heart is that part of myself that reflects my true authentic self. When I live each moment of my day from that place, the world doesn’t seem so overwhelming or scary or hard. It seems filled with love, kindness and compassion.
I love to hear people’s stories about where they are in their lives, right now, in this moment. So, please leave me a comment about your experiences.
Where are you courageous?
Where do you stand strong?
When are you brave, bold, or hardy?
When do you deny your own strength and courageousness?
With Aloha!
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