When fear whispers "you can't," do this...

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but action in spite of it." - Mark Twain

The ancient Spartans had a saying: "Come back with your shield or on it."

But here's what most people miss about that warrior mentality - it wasn't about being fearless. It was about being fear-full and moving forward anyway.

Real courage isn't the absence of trembling hands or racing hearts.

It's the decision to act while your hands are still shaking.

Your fears aren't character flaws.

They're compass points showing you exactly where your growth lives.

On October 5, 2017, actress Ashley Judd stood before a room full of journalists and cameras, her voice barely steady, about to become one of the first women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment.

She was 49 years old, an established actress with everything to lose - her career, her reputation, her privacy. She knew the backlash would be swift and brutal. Her hands were visibly shaking as she spoke.

In later interviews, she revealed she had rehearsed that moment for months, sometimes waking up at 3 AM in cold sweats, imagining all the ways it could destroy her life. She was terrified. Absolutely terrified.

But she spoke anyway.

Why am I sharing this?

Because right now, you might have your own "press conference moment" waiting for you.

That conversation you need to have, that boundary you need to set, that dream you need to pursue, that truth you need to speak.

You see…

Courage isn't about becoming fearless.

It's about developing a different relationship with fear itself.

Fear will always be there - it's your primitive brain trying to keep you safe.

But courage is your soul's way of saying, "Thank you for the warning, but I have important work to do."

Those moments when you feel most afraid?

They're not signs you're on the wrong path.

They're signs you're about to level up, and your old self is scared of being left behind.

I want to share something deeply personal with you today.

In 2019, during the start of the covid pandemic, I was sitting in my car outside my ex partner’s office, gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles were white.

I had been struggling with anxiety for months, but admitting I needed to end the partnership for the benefit of both parties.

I sat there for twenty minutes, engine running, having a full conversation with my fear:

"What if he thinks I'm weak?"

"What if this doesn't help?"

"What if people find out?"

My hands were literally shaking as I turned off the engine.

I felt nauseous walking to the door.

But something deeper than my fear - some quiet, steady voice - kept whispering, "This is how you heal."

That terrifying walk into that office became the first step toward the most transformational year of my life.

Why am I telling you this?

Because that moment taught me something profound about courage that I carry with me every day.

Courage isn't about floating above your fears on clouds of confidence.

Sometimes it's about crawling through them on your hands and knees, dirt under your fingernails, still moving forward.

Those moments when you're terrified but you act anyway?

You're not just being brave -

You're having a conversation with your soul about who you're ready to become.

When fear starts whispering its doubts,

I want you to try this soul-strengthening practice I call the "Brave Heart Reset" (because it reconnects you to the courage that's already within you):

1. Acknowledge the fear: Place your hand on your heart and say, "I see you, fear. Thank you for trying to protect me."

2. Find your anchor: Take three deep breaths and ask, "What would I do if I knew I couldn't fail?"

3. Connect to your why: Whisper to yourself, "This matters because..." and finish the sentence from your heart.

4. Take the smallest step: Ask, "What's the tiniest action I can take right now?" Then do that one thing.

5. Celebrate the courage: Honor yourself with, "I am proud of myself for showing up scared."

Do this whenever fear tries to stop you, and watch how your relationship with courage transforms.

Remember:

Courage isn't the absence of fear.

It's action in spite of fear

Your fears are compass points showing you where growth lives.

The moments you feel most afraid are often when you're about to level up.

You don't need to be fearless.

You need to be fear-full and move anyway.

Love

Gin