Contemplating Courage
I’ve been contemplating courage a fair amount recently. Health is something I take seriously. To that end I don’t need to be told to exercise, eat a healthy diet, work my brain and do all things in moderation. However, that can only take you so far. Eventually, something gives. It is my turn to face a medical issue. I’ll be fine. However, my time has been usurped and will continue to be, for several more months. Next week is one of those weeks where courage is particularly needed.
Imagine the courage it takes to do Firefly Pose? Yikes! So, impressive. That was the final pose of this morning’s yoga class. Did I try it? Of course, because that is what I do. However, I gave myself permission to bail when I felt insecure and uncomfortable. That was approximately a millisecond beyond step 3. I got my heels and some toes off the ground. I do believe that facing difficult things head on, but safely, builds the courage muscle.
Butterfly Sanctuary
Despite limited time this week, I managed to make the 8th Butterfly Sanctuary block. This one is one of my favorites.
I’m so grateful I realized I had missed the release of Glow and had the time to backtrack. I’m having fun contemplating the Butterfly Sanctuary quilt grow on my design wall. It has me researching (OK, drifting through Pinterest) hunting up potential blocks with a butterfly or insect theme to create my 2027 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt. There are so many wonderful options out there. The hardest part is selecting which one to make.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
I’m halfway through quilting the Cats in the Attic windows. I’m using the backgrounds as a catalyst (accidental pun) for the free motion quilting.
It is hard to see in the photo, but I loosely outlined the various lupine flowers and leaves in the above image. Whereas, I chose to create a very abstracted sky in the one below.
Question of the Week
What do you do to face your fears and build courage?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
I just attempted step one of firefly pose and realize the pose is not for me. Congratulations on getting to step three!
I enjoy seeing your cats and butterflies each week. So well made.
Best wishes for the coming weeks.
Good for you for attempting step 1 of Firefly pose. I’ve been practicing yoga for ~ 15 years. I’ve never quite achieved hanging my legs over my shoulders in any of the arm balances.
I’m pleased you enjoy seeing each new cat and butterfly block.
Wishing you all the best in the coming weeks/months dealing with whatever health issue is going on. Hugs
Thank you, Vicki. Your hugs are welcome.
I know you have the courage in you to face this issue. As to the firefly, I’m at step 3 also, although not as deep. Yoga is soooo good for us! Sending hugs
15 years of practicing yoga and I have yet to get my legs fully over my shoulders. So, yes, my step 3 isn’t as deep. Also, my hands were on blocks, recommended by the instructor. Can’t agree more. Yoga is essential, especially as balance becomes more difficult and the body reminds us daily, we aren’t getting younger.
Thank you for the support.
Best wishes to you for the coming challenges. I’m confident you’ll face them successfully.
Thank you, Sara. Much appreciated.
I’m sorry you’re facing something big in the coming week, Gwyned. Sending lots of good thoughts and virtual hugs. The only thing we really can do when facing something like that is follow the plan step by step. That’s what helps me face things. Your yoga pose looks very intimidating, so good for you for trying it. Cars in the Attic is looking good! Hope you don’t have to be away from your studio for too long. 🩷
Thank you, Diann. Nothing many others haven’t faced before me. Unfortunately, others will follow. This is simply my turn.
Yes, taking things one step at a time is the best way for me to get through something tough. For example, Step one is simply showing up. I can do that. 🙂
I’m hoping to be back in the studio next week for more FMQ. That is my carrot.
Thanks for your thoughtfulness.
You know I am thinking of you, and holding you and SEDOSO in my heart and prayers.
Thank you, Margaret. I know you understand and appreciate your support.
You are much braver and definitely more flexible than I, LOL! Hope things will get better for you health wise.
Chris, fortunately most yoga poses are much easier than firefly and don’t involve hand balances. I really do yoga in order to balance on my feet, maintain my muscles and retain some flexibility.
Thank you for your support.
Wow, those are some serious yoga posses. I struggle with how much time to surrendered/dedicate to exercise. Hence I walk 2 miles a day and do stretches as the microwave counts down. I guess maybe I can give 10 minutes as a start for yoga. Ya, I know I really should BUT I’m never trying any of these poses. Healing thoughts coming at ya.
Yes, firefly is definitely a serious yoga pose. What 15 years of practicing yoga has taught me is that you can get benefits without doing all the steps to complete the pose. If you get gutsy and want to give yoga a try, I would recommend Peloton. They have 1,000’s of yoga classes on line and may give you a 30 day free trial period. Included in those classes are brief, 10 – 15 minute instructions on how to do the basic poses. No need to try any of the “insane” poses ever.
Thank you for the healing thoughts.
I cannot do ANY of those poses, and I commend you for your effort and your desire to take care of your body! Your butterfly is beyond beautiful. I can’t wait to see this project when it is complete!
I pretty much took my body for granted until age 40. Periodically, I would go on short improvement jags, perhaps cutting out fats or jogging, but none lasted for long. Then I “won” a one month membership to a local gym when I was 40. This was when step aerobics was the rage – think early 90’s. The rest is history. Never, ever thought I would do yoga. Only took because the class I loved was permanently canceled. Yoga was at the same time slot. I hated the first few weeks, but then it grew on me. So, glad I pushed through the early phase.
The Butterfly Sanctuary QAL is a fun project. There is a private Facebook group where other participants post their progress. So much fun to see the butterflies done with different fabrics.
Love your free motion progress with quilting your cats. I’ve done a little chair yoga which I look forward to doing again; but, the firefly pose. . .not this body at this time!I hope you come through the medical issue quickly and heal well so you don’t have to take a break from your studio! As for your question: I learn what I can about the issue. I ask myself is the benefit worth the risk and are the odds in my favor? Courage comes into play when the journey begins and the path is a little different from what I thought. Courage is what I use to stick it out to reap the benefits.
What a wonderful response to the question of the week. There are times when the dangle of achievement/reward seems worth the effort of the scary journey. So often, there are unforeseen difficulties. The thought then is “I’ve come so far, do I really want to turn around or should I persevere?
I will find studio. However, it is likely to be more slowly paced with diminished time. That being said, I am hoping to hit 2027 full steam ahead.
You aren’t alone in not planning to attempt firefly pose. I certainly wouldn’t have sought it out. However, since the class led up to it, I figured I would give the early steps a go.
Firefly pose is a tough one! I don’t think I will ever try, well, I might but know that some of the parts just don’t flex anymore. Good luck with tackling your health issue, we all have to face them in the process of aging. Awaiting a storm on the island, hope the Cape and you do well in it.
No need to try firefly pose, Kathleen. Some parts of mine never flexed and still don’t.
I’ve felt very lucky to have avoided significant health issues until this current one. Something was likely to give at some point.
The storm is here. Lost power for two hours. However, we have a generator, as do many of our neighbors. The islands and the Cape are getting the brunt. So back at you. Hope the weather isn’t as bad as predicted for you.
One of my fav quotes: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” ~Mary Anne Radmacher This is how I deal with things.
about sewing: Love the butterfly! If you want to do more paper piecing next year, check out https://quietplaydesigns.com/collections/fpp-patterns Her patterns cost, but she has lots of cute bugs & butterflies. Newsletter subscribers get free blocks from time to time.
What a great quote. It so resonates with. Unfortunately, so do the patterns on the link you sent me. The toughest part is going to be to settle on a pattern – OR possible select a pattern a month and make a sampler. Wouldn’t that be fun.
Getting to step 3 looks like an accomplishment, Gwyned! What a marvelous butterfly block #8!! Very pretty colors. I love the “eyes” on the wings. Best wishes on your upcoming medical journey. To quote Aslan, Courage, dear heart.
Thank you, Nancy. I’m rather fond of the butterflies that have eyes, too. I try to choose fabric that will showcase them.
Hi Gwen. You commented about my Zentangle bag flap on my blog, but since you are a no-reply (no email address attached) I couldn’t respond back directly to you. Anyhow, to draw on fabric doing a Zentangle or even writing a quilt label, if you iron on freezer paper to the wrong side of the fabric with shiny side of freezer paper to the wrong side of the fabric, it sticks to fabric and stabilizes the fabric nearly like paper and writing or drawing are easy to do with a pen made To use with fabric. Try is with a scrap of fabric and see.
I am doing the applique version of Butterfly Sanctuary and have used a few of the butterflies on the bag flaps already. Applique is much easier to me than paper piecing, but your butterfly paper pieced is stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Daryl. Freezer paper makes an excellent stabilizer. Thanks for reminding me.
That pose does not look for the faint of heart!! Hope you are taking care of yourself – health is tough. LOVE the butterflies!!
Passed through a major hurdle, yesterday. All went well. Thank you. The buttflies are so cheerful. Can’t wait to see what the October butterfly looks like.
Oh my! That yoga pose definitely required courage along with flexibility, balance, and strength. If I was there, I would have tried it also. Not sure I’d make it to Step 3 though. Lol! I tried sewing Butterfly Sanctuary but got a little discouraged by the errors in the directions — or was it just me? Some of the cut pieces did not fit the paper. Please let me know if the directions were good or it was just me that day. Prayers to you for whatever medical issue you are facing.
Well, I only made it to step 2.75 probably. Fortunately, basic yoga flow gives you all the health benefits. Arm balances are the unnecessary frills.
No, it wasn’t just you. I have found multiple errors in the directions. Especially confusing when there is a gap in the lettering or number sequence. Ditto for cutting instructions. Some pieces are cut way oversized while others are insufficient.
All went well yesterday with my first major medical hurdle. Not done yet. But I have a few weeks reprieve while I wait to find out what is next.
Aborder le courage, comme vous le faites, est essentiel, surtout en période de défis personnels. Dans le contexte entrepreneurial, ce concept s’applique également : prendre des décisions difficiles, sortir de sa zone de confort ou gérer l’incertitude demande cette même « musculature » du courage. Il est important de reconnaître ses limites, comme vous l’avez fait avec la posture de yoga, pour avancer de manière durable. Cette acceptation favorise une progression équilibrée, évitant l’épuisement, ce qui est crucial pour les dirigeants de petites structures qui portent souvent de multiples casquettes. Cultiver le courage n’est pas un sprint, mais un marathon ponctué de pauses conscientes et de petits pas réguliers.
C’est vrais. Very nicely put. Life and courage are definitely marathons.