courage Archives

Recommitment To Life Importance

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Kristin Larsen

Today I realized something……what is important to me has faded into the distance. It is now time for a recommitment to life importance.

What have I let become more important?

The distractions, the setbacks, the daily habits I choose, the energy I choose?

What I realize is that commitment is an ongoing, consistent action. When commitment loses its consistency, much learning lies within the inconsistency.

What were the daily actions I truly wanted to take?

What core values was I neglecting?

What passions were left flameless?

What a recommitment to life importance will offer

A recommitment will offer some form of meaning and purpose. A way that efforts feel everlasting. It is part of the resilience process. A knowing that, despite not being in alignment with what is important in life, it is possible to recommit again at this moment. In the recommitment is freedom through the choice of being integrity.

Growth happens in the form of accepting the imperfection of returning to recommit. To become conscious and aware of daily choices. To have self compassion and let go of attachment to mistakes for the past choices that led to the setbacks.

The process of recommitment

Recommitment is not something that happens on its own. There is a requirement for clear intentions. A clear definition of why the intentions are important. Those commitments are daily habit changes, but most importantly, they are life changing.

A follow-through on these intentions means accepting accountability each day. It is a personal responsibility to be the living commitment to those intentions.
It is a choice of inner leadership that transforms available choices into definitive, aligned actions.

In this process, the narrative perspective shifts from self-criticism of the current circumstance to acceptance and compassionate understanding of oneself. There is a connection to motivation, recommitment to intentions, and clarity of how recommitment is important to one’s implementation.

It is all an opportunity for growth in the process. This includes all the challenges, setbacks and failures.

What might a compassionate recommitment look like?

Self compassion is the foundation of recommitment. It might acknowledge the self-judgement, but does not let it linger. It treats the intricate details with kindness.

Through this perspective, there can be a way to embrace imperfection. Being in the acceptance of imperfection can allow a universal understanding of the struggle. A realization that it is part of the human experience. There can be a choice of connection instead of staying in a state of isolation. The choice to be in connection with oneself can lead to kind acts which have small, positive effects.
Operating from a place of compassion instills the courage to move towards the pain instead of away from it.

We can act with integrity, which encourages us to be resilient in the midst of what we are experiencing.

The journey of a connected life

The learning that we take away from recommitting to life importance helps us see the shifts that diverted our attention.

In the growth, we can see that achieving external goals is less important if it does not offer internal fulfillment, authenticity, and deeper, meaningful relationships. It becomes a necessary agenda to honour our own feelings, needs, and truths.

The journey of connection to life importance means being present and consciously mindful of living intentionally with integrity. A powerful decision to allow ourselves to be authentic and overcome the fear of failing or not being perfect.

It becomes empowering to share the loving parts of ourselves without losing ourselves. Constantly maintaining alignment with self-care and core values. This also includes a healthy boundary with our expectations.

When we can commit to this path of recommitment and connection, we become more forgiving of ourselves. We take ownership of our choices, even if they have led to setbacks or challenges. The perspective changes, which helps place focus on self-acceptance rather than critical self-judgment.

Recommitment is a conscious choice to let go of perfection in the safe space of compassionate understanding to proceed.

When the Heaviness In Life Opens Up

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Kristin Larsen

Life has been feeling heavy for a while. The presence of everyday emotions that get you through the day. Then there is that moment when the heaviness in life opens up.

“The distance to get there felt like a long, over-travelled journey.”

The moment you know it opens up

Awareness is the opening. The challenging pathway is to surrender and accept. To stop fighting the emotions. Being with them provides insights into understanding the thoughts that are creating them. In the process is possibility. A “yearning” to take a step towards an action. You may want to gain perspective by seeing things from different viewpoints. A willingness to acknowledge accountability. This could mean changing a personal viewpoint, a narrative that is no longer strongly supported because it doesn’t align with your values that are important to you.

You decide to utilize resources and tools that are accessible that will assist in moving forward.

An energy force inside pulls you forward from the “glued spot” you were standing in.

You now see new ways of “being” in thought, intention and commitment.

How you arrived at that moment

It was a combination of many empowered realizations. The challenge that was encountered was viewed as an opportunity for growth. In those moments you began to see a greater potential within yourself. An acknowledgement of the resilience that has helped navigate the experiences.

There was a new perspective that released some of the heaviness. This offered clarity into what was possible. An accountable acceptance that shifted the focus of what was serving and supportive.

All of this translated into a renewed inner connection.

A return to self.

What you might be realizing

It’s okay to feel what I am feeling. It can be uncomfortable and messy, and there is nothing wrong with that. The experience can be as it is. Shame doesn’t have to be part of it.

There is a shift towards the willingness to heal the wounded parts of the inner self.

A dedication to discovery your own truth.

Uncovering answers to the question, “how does this experience contribute to my truth?”

Where are you being guided

Things are becoming more in focus. Those things of focus are, expanded possibilities and inner leadership.

Inner leadership says, “I will no longer suppress the emotions. I now see them as valid.” In this acceptance is a respect for being vulnerable.

A change in perception of emotional expression as strength instead of weakness.

Self compassion is breathing a new practice of returning to wholeness. Being consistently gentle with yourself in the moments that are tough.

Being connected becomes more important than struggling alone. Making space for what is supportive and doable.

The insight reveals itself, “it doesn’t have to be more.”

When the heaviness in life opens up you will surrender to release the weight. It will feel like a readiness for healing, for necessary changes, and the anticipated return to self. The continual weight of exhausted emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing reaches it’s breaking point. You feel a transformational shift from being in the inner turmoil to accepting, from the choice of isolation to being in connection.

Surrendering to heaviness is a choice to let go of the weight of failure and expand the imagination of what is possible.

A Serving Truth

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Kristin Larsen

What does a serving truth mean to each person?

It could be something that is believed with conviction. In the belief could be a choice of alignment to the truth.

In the context of a serving truth, “alignment” refers to what serves the greater good. To view it from the perspective of a positive, supportive truth.

The choice of a serving truth

A choice implies that there can be an optional truth. Perception and interpretation can distort the serving truth. What happens if there is a conflict of belief, and what could be the serving truth?

The deepest truths involve love, acceptance, and belonging. In those truths are various sub-truths, such as trust, worthiness, self-respect, and self-acceptance.

If perception and interpretation never change, neither will the serving truth.

When the serving truth changes

Sometimes growth, healing or being in a transformational phase is the catalyst for a truth that changes.

The change could begin with perspective. Then curiosity can help us see other perspectives.

Self-honesty offers an authentic lens to view from the connected self.

Self-compassion bridges the gap between reactionary distortion and connected awareness.

What interferes with the serving truth

Fear can be a common obstacle to aligning with a serving truth. Our inner fear instructs choices to be made that self-sabotage what we want to believe is true.

The instinctive habit of adapting to comfort makes it easy to accept a misaligned truth. Within that is the energy required to remain in that place of comfort. Then, it further amplifies the disconnection to oneself and what is most important.

Always coming back and maintaining

Integrity is what is required to continue coming back to living in a truth that serves you. It requires honest courage to say “no” when it means no, and “yes” when it means yes.

Being in the loving sanctum inside yourself is a daily practice of devoting a willingness to surrender and let go. It is consistency that ensures the actions align with the intentions.

There is a balance between a loving self and following a serving truth. The words that instruct the fellowship are meant to be compassionate and graceful. The actions that follow reflect a loving self.

A serving truth embodies compassion and love for persuasive belief.

Moving Through The Seasons Of Grief

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Kristin Larsen

While driving on a local rural road, I noticed the leaves beginning to change color. My windows were open, and the smell of the fall season was in the air. Suddenly, emotions flooded within me like a tidal wave. It felt like moving through the seasons of grief.

Has it happened to you?

One second, you are in the presence of life, and the next, memories invade your current space of peace.

Triggered by the reminder of something you see, a familiar smell, a word or a phrase you hear, a flavor from a food, a texture that you touch.

It reminds you of someone who is no longer physically there in your life. Your heart begins to ache, and you miss them. The imagery created in that moment takes you back into memories of the past. A place that carries an open wound of grief from something that feels like it was lost.

Surrendering to love

There is an opportunity to acknowledge the hurt and pain that surfaces. In this opportunity, there is an invitation to surrender to love. A way to appreciate and honor the person who has moved on to the next phase in life. It is a reminder of how important they were.

There are many ways to honor and appreciate them. One way is through the expression of emotion. Cry, journal, or share your thoughts and feelings with others.

It doesn’t have to mean staying in the loss of suffering. The perspective of love can assist with moving through the seasons of grief.

Choosing the perspective of love

Celebrating and honoring the person or memory amidst the grief could mean seeing the perspective of love in the memories. The way to do that is through a self-compassionate lens. Accessing the lens requires acknowledging the love for that memory. The love for the person.

Be open to what is calling for attention from the surfacing grief.

Each chosen effort to acknowledge the grief, to see through the perspective of love, expands the capacity to fully love.

As the seasons change, so too will the grief pass through.

Focus transmutes grief into an appreciation of love that was never lost.

The Illusion Of Our Deepest Fear

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Kristin Larsen

Fear of failure. Fear of judgement. Fear of the unknown and uncertainty. Fear of no control. Fear of change. Fear of rejection. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of loneliness.

What if our deepest fear might extend deeper than these common, intricate fears?

Misinterpreting the fear

Initially, the first thought might be that our fear is obvious. To be with the fear in it’s fullest could take some time to extract what it really means in our interpretation.

However, what if the fear funneled towards a doubt that maintains the illumination of what we interpret the fear to be?

What if our fear was really that we question being enough or worthy to let go of the fear we question?

For example, what if we were not afraid of failing?

What would contribute to not being afraid of failing?
We might embody some attributes of trust, faith, conviction, belief in self, focus on being our best, utilizing our strengths, and being open to possibility, etc.

In the experience, there is room for growth and learning. Maybe we acknowledge that and believe that we are enough in that moment and worthy to succeed?

The decision to shift our focus from the fear

When the decision is made to acknowledge the true potential within, fear begins to dissipate.

Shifting the perspective away from the feared “what if’s” of fully acknowledging our true potential.

The “what if’s” are what we think our deepest fear is. I might be thinking, “If I fully embrace my full potential and fail, how will that look to others, will it mean I’m not good enough, will I still be accepted by others, what if I don’t know all the answers, etc.

Letting go of past stories and meanings

When the stories and meanings are not attached to what our true potential really is, possibility is an open canvas.

Sometimes it isn’t easy to let go of the attachment to the past. Healing and reconfiguring the meanings of experiences can assist in letting go and finally moving forward without the constant, looming doubt that reinforces the fear.

A shift towards the belief in the current state of being that embodies what it means to embrace one’s full potential.

A new state of being

What if I trusted myself, what would I need to trust fully within myself?

What if I believed in myself, what would I need to believe about myself?

What if I were being my best, what would I need to do to be my best?

What if I were to utilize my strengths, what strengths would help me navigate this experience effectively?

What if I chose to believe in possibility, what possibilities would be open to me now?

The focus is no longer on the fear. It is shifted to a new state of being that can be adapted when “being enough” and “being worthy” are embraced.

Embracing our full potential acknowledges being enough and worthy to radiate our true light within the full acceptance of integrity to self.

Suffering In The Human Experience

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Kristin Larsen

What does “suffering in the human experience” really mean?

A person’s attention could be drawn to the emotional side of suffering. They could display such emotions as sadness, fear, anger, and shame. Thoughts could lead to behaviors that identify with despair, depression, anxiety, hurt, and pain. The anguish of suffering is often viewed as a negative experience. Obviously, unwanted, undesired, and unaccepted. Continually resisting, drifting deeper into torment and misery.

What is the purpose of suffering

Often, suffering is an invitation. It is calling our attention to healing. To resolve something that still requires processing.

The deeper part of ourselves wants our presence, care, and understanding. The logical part of our processing wants understanding or rationalizations of why. When those answers can’t be produced, the suffering slices deeper into the experience.

What is the invitation?

The invitation is not in plain sight. It requires some elements of nurture to view the invitation so it can be accepted.

The requirement is Presence and Compassion.

The path may not be clear through the suffering, but an important mission begins to unfold.

The calling of, “who do you get to become throughout the experience?”

The acceptance of healing guides us toward our truth- The transformation into the depth of empathetic awakening.

It is no longer viewed as a detriment. Accepting what is being experienced is part of the path.

What is revealed are the patterns and unprocessed wounds. An opportunity for resolution.

In the deeper truth, discomfort isn’t avoided. It is welcomed as an igniter for awakening throughout the process. An evolution of our being.

What prolongs the suffering

Being in control is often a common need to maintain a sense of stability. Without stability, it can feel scary when there is no commonality with what is known.

As time passes, the choice to remain in the victimhood of suffering enhances its familiarity. You anticipate its presence. You expect that it will last indefinitely.

Suppressing emotions and denying the invitation intensifies the suffering and prolongs it’s effects.

When is suffering viewed as “not suffering”

Through the lens of self-compassion and understanding the inner pain, suffering can transform into wisdom. A shift to introspection converts pain into purpose.

The unfolding question appears, “What is this experience teaching me?”

Although the purpose is not necessarily to create meaning, it begins to happen naturally in the process.

The energy in the suffering gravitates towards safe expression while honoring the space of healing that is allowed to occur.

It becomes a normalized experience of expression as an integral part of the journey.

Moving from a state of isolation into an intention of connectedness.

Suffering is a gentle reminder that compassion is asking for attention.

What Is The Human Experience?

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Kristin Larsen

How do we interpret what we think the human experience is?

One person’s interpretation may differ from another person’s interpretation of what they believe the human experience is.

What influences someone’s belief in their interpretation of what the human experience is?

Superficially, the interpretation of the human experience could be conceived as the theory of cause and effect. One of the meanings of cause and effect is described as; “the direct relationship between an action or event and its consequence or result.”

Logic prevails in seeking interpretation. Beliefs reinforce the conceptual understanding of what the human experience is supposed to be.

If you look back at your childhood, and every five years after, how is your interpretation of the human experience compared to this current moment?

Did it change or is it the same?

If it changed, what created the change?

What has allowed it to remain the same?

The external environment, culture, or society is usually a contributing influencer to how someone may interpret the human experience as their reality.

Psychologically, cognitive rationality is essential to form a sense of reality in the living moment.

What is the relationship between the interpretation of the human experience and reality?

Can there be a right or wrong interpretation of the human experience? If each person has their beliefs of what the human experience is, can it be a neutral experience?

What we are born to know is the physical, mental, and emotional side of the human experience. The spiritual element can be learned, practiced or realized.

The physical side is the realization of birth, growth, emotions, and death.

The emotional side is the internal feelings that are associated with the emotion.

The mental side is how our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions are processed.

The spiritual side is the connection to something greater than self, which contains meaning, purpose, and a sense of belonging.

Residing deeper within the main elements of the human experience is profound consciousness. It involves being aware of what is being experienced within the elements.

The riveting part of awareness is choice. A choice to live into experiences as an individual or an interconnected being.

The interpretation of our experiences is always evolving. What is deemed important about our experiences today, may not hold the same importance tomorrow.

The acceptance of the human experience is what leads to fulfillment within it. Setbacks, grief, and suffering don’t feel the same as opportunity, joy, or love. Acceptance is the possibility to invite appreciation to the whole human experience. To transform what is perceived as negative, into a deeper awareness of what is within the experience. An appreciation for the challenge, the opportunity within it, the connection, the love, the possibility, and the shared moments.

Is it the continual quest for meaning and purpose that clarifies what our interpretation of the human experience is?

If you knew it was your final day to live in this physical world, what interpretations would become clear about what the human experience is?

To accept the whole human experience with appreciation introduces a choice for conscious awareness of the deeper elements within it.

Building The Habit of BEING Integrity

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Kristin Larsen

I am who I say I am. Being integrity to my words.

I am who I think I am. Being integrity to my values.

I am what I say I will do. Being integrity to my actions.

Being integrity is an important contributor to living into our full potential, performing at our best, uncovering aligned possibility, and living with continual passion.

One, or all of these areas we desire to live into most often seems to be what is wanted in relation to what is occurring in our inner and outer reality.

What does BEING inner integrity mean?

In my life I have found inner integrity to be a spiritual partnering with myself. It is comprised of attributes that hold a place for my intentions. These attributes include;

Accountability
Loyalty
Honesty
Discernment
Respect

Every way of being starts with accountability. Knowing and accepting there is a choice. In that choice is a reliance of knowing that I can rely on myself to make the necessary choice. Maintaining an appreciation for self throughout the process of making the choice with the ensuing consequences that follow, regardless of what they might be. Having honesty with self in all the moments that invite a choice into my focus. Holding clear discernment by initiating connection to presence. Giving self respect through kindness, compassion, dignity without feeling the need to compromise self worth.

Building the habits of inner integrity

If someone were to choose accountability to build the habits of inner integrity it might include embodying intentions such as courage, trust, compassion. There may be setbacks throughout the process of building the habits. It is important to take ownership of mistakes or choices along the way. Inviting compassion into the process can assist with being open to inner feedback without attaching self to any judgement that may or may not accompany the feedback. Pausing to reflect on the actions that are being taken to ensure alignment with values. Adapting and adjusting to the occurring habit changes by recommitting to the importance of being inner integrity with self. Shifting perspective to dedicate to a life long journey of each individual day opportunities for growth, healing and transformation.

Where to start in my inner integrity journey

There is no wrong place to start. It is a journey filled with exploration and discovery. The joy of acknowledging who you are becoming along the way. To determine where to start, a better question might be, “Who is the person I want to be on my journey of being inner integrity?”

Having a clear vision of what attributes would need to be strengthened to be what inner integrity means to self.

The formation of inner integrity begins with a chosen intention to accept accountability to have a soulful bond with self.

Ideas That Ignite Curiosity To Love With Courage!