First of all, I am one that has had a multitude of fears throughout my life. To carry around a bottle of Pepto Bismol in my little purse at nine years old definitely reflected fear. When I began to date Jim, now my husband of almost 39 years, I carried a bottle of Pepto Bismol in my purse just in case I felt nauseated or someone else did. Jim remembers this like it was yesterday. He would take me out for fabulous seafood, and I would order fried chicken, because I was scared to eat boiled crawfish or shrimp.
There are too many other situations to write about this time, but just know I am well acquainted with fear. As a licensed therapist, I have made it my goal to face my fears head on.
After all, how on earth could I help anyone face their fears if I couldn't face my own? I now eat raw oysters, sushi,and relish Mexican food. Nowadays if I gulp down Pepto Bismol, it is usually for over indulging.
"Be Brave, Cowgirl", came from a collage I made to encourage and inspire others. A cowgirl represents courage to me. She is not afraid to get on her horse and ride with hair blowing in the wind. And, one of my favorite characteristics about her, she loves to have fun! Will you join me on our imaginary horses to be brave together? This cowgirl sure hopes so!!!
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| Bonnie Hall Knox c. 1933 |
I will join you!!! I too have a lot of fears - not ready to reveal all either, but am making a conscious effort to get on my horse and ride on. Great post :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that you have those fears too, Tressie. When the timing is right, we will share. I see you riding wildly in the most exciting way on your horse!!! Yeeeehaaaa, new Girlfriend, we are on our way : D Thank you for commenting. It means the world to me!!!
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Nancy, beginnings are Pepto Bismol hard! I join you on this journey, with a big heart of "we're in it together" and "let's hold hands." That little girl in your collage looks so brave hanging on while her horse rears up. Giddy up!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I love your comment about beginnings! You are right. The support/friendship is invaluable on this journey (wild ride). My hand is in yours!!! We will hold each other up. Thinking of the times I have fallen off horses makes me want to laugh out loud. Love & Blessings, Brave Cowgirl!!! xoxo
DeleteGiddyup cowgirl! "FEAR"... what a word that can keep us so imprisoned. "BRAVE"... the word that sets us free. Keep up the great work! Loved your very first post and honored to be your very first comment! :)
ReplyDeleteLanie, you write so well. I can already tell : D Love what you said about being set free. Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you with my whole heart for your most valuable comments!!!
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This is a smile: : D
Deletewoohoo to you!! i'm from our blogging course! i love what you wrote here - it's funny - you remind me of my mother - except she always took pepto for her nervous stomach. i love how you moved forward and didn't let the fear stop you anymore - advice i def. needed to hear! loved your post!! :) and i'm inspired to add more courage into my life!! :)
ReplyDeleteRenee, I am laughing out loud that I remind you of your mother with my Pepto Bismol. Thank you for your affirmation of all days when I so needed it. So far, no Pepto today though : D Thank you!!! Can't wait to know you better!!!
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Nancy, you go, cowgirl! I love the title of your blog and super-love this focus on fear. You will have so many people on this journey with you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your First Post Ever!
Looking forward to seeing your newborn blog baby grow up. :)
Love,
Alice
Alice, you are such an encourager! I already love you! Sending you a great big hug for your comments especially right now.
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Nancy, I love that you have put so much thought into the characteristics of your blog's namesake, the cowgirl. Reading about her gives me a clear idea of your blog's purpose. Well done!! And you are hugely brave to hit "publish" on your very first post as part of this link up!
ReplyDeleteOh, Mocadeaux, it is such a gift to be validated by you! After pushing "publish," my brain kept thinking, "Is that a good name? How does Be Brave, Cowgirl sound?", etc. etc. Thank you for affirming that I'm in the right direction for where I want my blog to go. Our blogs are like our babies : ) Mine was born in the wee hours of this morning. Looking forward to knowing you!!!
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Hi Fellow Cowgirls! I am so grateful to you all for commenting on my blog today. I woke up mortified when I thought I saw that no one had commented. Please be patient with me as I try to figure out my way. Your comments are ones I want to reply to individually, but have to figure out how. To some of you it will seem second nature, because you've been blogging for awhile. For me, I'm taking baby steps : ) Remember the movie, What About Bob? Bob had to take baby steps. Ha-Ha! Today I am Bob!!! Thank you all so much. Can't wait to read each of your brave posts too!!!
ReplyDeleteLove & Gratitude,
Nancy
Congrats on your first post! I also have dealt with anxiety and fears and it helps for us to confront them and share them. Thanks for putting this out there - and I love the name of your blog! It reminds me of my daughter who always says she wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up! And you're right, life is more fun when we're brave and take risks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah! It definitely helps to realize we aren't alone in our fears. Together we can be stronger facing them. I love that your daughter wants to be a cowgirl! Now that is a very noble ambition : ) I am an example of it not being too late to be a cowgirl even if it's in my imagination. Thinking like a cowgirl sure can benefit your daughter as she grows up! xoxo
DeleteNancy, what a brave and wonderful first blog post! I love the image (or symbol or metaphor) you have come up with in the Cowgirl. I can totally relate to your fears-- mine are different, but I understand the intensity of fear. Good luck in continuing to blog and conquer fears... riding off into the sunset! :-)
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What a great image of riding off into the sunset away from our destructive fears! Fear can be so debilitating. It can rob us of the freedom to be ourselves. Fear can, also, be helpful to keep us away from unsafe situations. Theresa, thank you for affirming my blog! I'm so grateful to know you, a fellow struggler! xoxo
DeleteI'm brand new to the blogging world too and have so much to learn. Today I somehow managed to delete part of my post and then couldn't figure out how to retrieve it. I wonder if there's an undo button anywhere. I love your blog name and I'm going to try to be a brave cowgirl too.
ReplyDeleteDiana, I battled with this same issue last night. To make sure I saved what I had written, I printed it. It turned out that there is a page that holds all blog attempts : ) This is on blogger/blogspot. In my mind, I'm trying to stay simple. After I typed a post, I looked for the save button. When I went to preview, I couldn't figure out how to get back to where I was writing. Finally, I found the place where my attempts were stored. Good grief! I'm thankful to meet someone that is new at this like me. We can do this! Yes, we can! xoxo
DeleteYou are Brave, CowGirl!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lindsey! I know you are a brave cowgirl, too, because you are on here with me.
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So proud of you for taking this leap! Brave cowgirl, for sure - can't wait for many more brave posts. This is just the beginning...and what a way to start. :)
ReplyDeleteLiv, it may be my third time in Build a Blog, but I mean business this time : ) Thank you for your wealth of knowledge and encouragement. I am learning from the best! Have to get back to my e-course tomorrow. I feel like I'm ready to burst with excitement. xoxo
DeleteNancy, Yippie - Ride Em Cowgirl- congratulations on taking the leap into Blog Land. I love - love your first post about being a brave cowgirl and know this is just the beginning for you on entering a new and exciting journey of blogging.
ReplyDeleteI love Susan Jeffer's saying " Feel the fear and do it anyway" and cowgirl you did just that -am so proud of you for reaching your goal so far ahead of your goal date.
Blessings,
Erin
Erin, I couldn't have done it without my W.H.O.A. sisters : ) The one who created The Painted Garden has inspired me beyond measure. My heart is yelling, "THANK YOU!!!!" Susan Jeffer's saying is a classic, and is so true in order to get past any big monsters hanging around. Antoher gratitude is to you for following me. I want to make sure I'm following your beautiful blog too.
DeleteTime for a new goal! I know! Post #2! : )
xoxo
My (cowgirl) hat is off to you! Beautiful, BRAVE post! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Courtney! I so appreciate a fellow brave cowgirl!!!
ReplyDeleteYay for the brave cowgirl! You did it and you will do lots more. I can relate to the fear for sure. You know that skiing video that Liv had us watch? I could hardly breath and actually cried - it really brought me to my place of fear. I know I have a lot more to learn and I look forward to reading more from you!
ReplyDeleteHi Mindful Momma, Micaela,
DeleteThank you for your sweet message! I just popped over to your website, and was so inspired. It is beautiful! I need you, too, by the way. This momma is dealing with some health issues that I'd really like to put aside. Your website/blog is exactly what I need! You say you have a lot more to learn. Fortunately, we don't ever stop learning : ) You have a ton to teach me just by your example. I know you are blessing so many people! Let's ride beside each other (on our horses) into the land of Courage!
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That was a wonderful, vulnerable, inspiring post! That is why I love you so much! You are a fun cowgirl and I want to hang out with you! Yeehaa! I didn't mean to be anonymous. I am Sally
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sally Cyn, for taking the time to read my first post. I am very blessed to have you here close to me to hang out with. It's time to catch up! We have definitely shared some brave times, my cowgirl sister/friend! xoxo
DeleteWhat a fun blog, Nancy! I think you are very brave for venturing into blogging, and I just know you have much to offer your readers. Keep on keepin' on, Cowgirl!! Namaste, Tara
ReplyDeleteTara, thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. After just reading your recent posts on Inklings, my throat is tight, tears are streaming down my face, and I realize you are someone I want to know. You are truly the brave cowgirl. You are being sunshine in spite of your overcast, dark days of longing for your precious Ro to be with you physically. You are bearing your heart with such exquisite grace. I send you love, comfort with God's arms around you, and strength like you've never known before to keep sharing, bearing, and inspiring others like me. May this Mother's Day be an extraordinary day! I pray Psalm 91 for you, brave one. xoxo
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