Your Courageous Life

Courageous Year Interview: Danette

(The Courageous Year was an e-course that I ran during the entire year of 2010. Later, I would parlay the content of that course into The Courageous Living Guide, which you can check out here!).

1.) Name: Danette S.
Location (City/State): Orange County, California
Website: http://oliveandhope.blogspot.com
Etsy: http://oliveandhope.etsy.com
Occupation: designer – interiors & jewelry

2.) When you started the Courageous Year, what did you decide would be the focus of that year? Has it shifted or changed?

When I started the Courageous Year, I had no idea of what my focus would be. This was my first e-course, and I really didn’t know what to expect from it. I have been on a path of self exploration/personal growth for a few years, and this e-course spoke to me, so I signed up with an open heart.

I realized that I was living my life while looking through a lack focused lens, and decided fairly early on that my primary focus would be abundance. I began to recognize that most of the things that I wanted to work on, all came back to embracing abundance in all forms. I would say that my focus has shifted in terms of becoming clearer about what I want, and recognizing what I already possess. The tools that I’ve gotten from just the first two and a half levels of the Courageous Year have made such a difference. I think that when I recently updated my list of points of focus, Kate you said there was a subtle difference and that it felt like it was coming from a more powerful place (or something along those lines). I think that is the best way to describe what I’ve learned through all of this. I’ve gotten more comfortable in my own skin since the beginning of the year. And the power that has been there all along, now shines through a little more freely.

3.) I believe that each of us has our own idea of what “courageous living” is about. When you hear the term “courageous living,” what do you think of? And how does that term apply to your own life?

For me courageous living means being willing and open to being authentic, and living life in ways that feed my soul. Really looking at my values, finding the things that make my heart sing and making the move toward doing them. It means, accepting and loving myself, and others…just as we are. Opening my heart and sharing myself with people. It’s also about stepping into my own worthiness, owning my gifts and putting them to use, and choosing to live BIG every day (even when my inner critic chimes in to remind me that she thinks small is better and safer). It means feeling the fear and doing it anyway, looking at what part of the fear is based in old stories, and being willing to rewrite them. Really, just rooting myself in the here and now, and facing all that it brings.

4.) One of the first things that the Courageous Year taps into is the concept of BEing your journey, allowing all parts of your journey to exist rather than trying to push away the things that we’re less comfortable with. What’s an example of some way in which you’ve seen yourself work with a situation that was frustrating, uncomfortable, scary, or otherwise “not your favorite,” and then work through it while BEing your journey?

Putting myself out there – in the forums within the e-course, on my blog, meeting new people, and on the interwebs in various other places. For a long time I’ve carried a story that I’m shy, private, and don’t make friends easily; it turns out that not only is it not true, but the story isn’t serving me anymore. I know that I’m not shy, and I like being who I am, so that takes away the need to hide behind being private. These stories are ways that I have coped in the past; ways that helped me to stay “safe”. I think that for me, this is one of the biggest areas that I’ve had to work through BEing the journey. I’m choosing to live authentically, and it’s not possible to do that without allowing myself to be seen.

For me to work through this, I’ve had to practice BEing in the here and now. Facing whatever comes up. Being willing to feel it. Letting it move through me. Sometimes pressing send, publish, or comment (even when I’m afraid to). Sometimes bouncing around for a bit in that middle place. Coming out the other side. And moving forward. It takes a lot of self love, acceptance of what is, noticing, practicing non judgment, self care, and being true to me. And I have to be willing to do it all over again. All over again. I’m so happy to understand that the opportunity to begin again is only a second away.

5.) You’ve told us a bit about who you BE, now tell us a bit about what you do! Feel free to share not just about a profession that “pays the bills,” but also about a chosen profession—the work that you’re most excited about.

I’ve been an interior designer for about 15 years. I have taken a bit of a hiatus over the last year or so, suffering from burn out. I’m starting to find that I miss working with clients on the finishing touches – art, accessories and adding the fun & personality into their homes, and am currently thinking about how to incorporate that back into my life. During my hiatus, I began making handmade beaded rings and getting back in touch with myself as an artist. That’s been an amazing journey, and so good for my soul! My rings are a way for me to spread a little happiness and joy, and each one is hand strung with love. Yep, it’s sappy…but I’m alright with that! Getting back to painting and claiming the term artist has been a little more slow going – it’s definitely a journey worth taking.

6.) What are you most passionate about; what excites you, lately?

I’m passionate about making art and my journey getting there, and I have some additional jewelry designs floating around in my head and heart that I’d love to create.

I’m also going to be sourcing some amazing flea market & vintage furniture pieces, and accessories. I have plans to offer those for sale – I still have some details to figure out. I’m also planning to be a part of a couple of local designer tag sales, and I’ll be selling my wares there. This is the first step to my next goal which is to begin donating my time and design skills to decorate spaces for women in transition. I’m at the very beginning stages of this idea, and would eventually like to have a brick and mortar space that would work as a store to help support my charitable design work, and also as a space to gather women in a creative community. The store would include artwork, photography, all of the vintage goodies I’ve talked about, and other creative works from various sources. Workshops would be offered in all types of creative mediums, and women would be encouraged to explore, commune, play, and create. Try it all on for size, and hopefully find something that makes their creative heart sing. There is so much more to it, I really let myself dream big!

7.) What’s next on your horizon?

Making baby steps toward the big idea above. I have a vision for it, and have no idea how it will all happen. I’m going to be writing more about it on my blog, and putting it out there to the universe. I’m really excited about it. It feels big, scary, and good. I’m not sure where to start, and am ok with that. For now, sharing it feels like a good beginning.

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Thanks, Danette! I want to offer a personal note that I have two of Danette’s rings, and they are so fun and funky and lovely. ~ Kate