Notes to Self posts are shorter and more personal than my regular blog posts. I hope these words encourage you as they encourage me. This is the first Note to Self—be audacious.
I’m currently reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. A couple of times already, Cameron has mentioned the word “audacity,” and it’s my new favorite word.
“Very often audacity, not talent, makes one person an artist and another a shadow artist—hiding in the shadows, afraid to step out and expose the dream to the light, fearful that it will disintegrate to the touch.”
Just because an art form comes naturally for someone doesn’t mean it’s easy for that person to do the work and then put the work out in a public space.
I need more audacity in my life, so I wrote in the margin “be audacious,” and then I took it even further and made this collage for my first artist date.
I don’t mean audacious as in rude or disrespectful. I like this definition from vocabulary.com: “The adjective audacious comes from the Latin word audacia and means “‘daring, boldness, courage.'”
God is the giver of courage.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 CSB
God made you to be a light shining on a hill. Not covered, not in hiding, not scared of the darkness of other people’s opinions. God gives you freedom to live as He made you. Your freedom is to be used to love boldly, as God does. Yes, God loves you with an audacious love.
God showed his audacious love for you by sending His son to this earth for the purpose of dying for you. He wanted a relationship with His created people, with you. Tell me, has anyone else in your life loved you like this?
Jesus was audacious. He confronted religious leaders no one else could confront. He showed love when others let rules keep them away. He offered compassion when even friends condemned. Jesus submitted himself to tortuous traitors—what courage that took!
Jesus was audacious in all the best ways. Let’s be more like Jesus.
Be audaciously kind, to yourself and to others.
Be audaciously creative, not worrying about what anyone else thinks of your art.
Audaciously seek peace, offering new perspectives that build up instead of tearing down.
Be audaciously present, staying true to who God made you to be.
Be audaciously submissive, in a world that craves power.
Be audaciously compassionate.
Be audacious love.
“Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another
has fulfilled the law.”
Romans 13:8
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Love that word! So much power in it.
It’s a bolder version of courageous, I think. I love it too.
Love that vision board. I’ve made a few and have been amazed at how much of it comes true.
It was fun to make. But now the real fun happens!
I absolutely LOVE that you’re starting these notes to self. Audacious is such a good word!
Thank you! I’m excited to see where audacity takes me!!