What is courage, really?
Maya Angelou said courage is our most important virtue because it makes all the others possible.
And frankly, at this juncture in our collective history, mindful resistance and fierce joy feel pretty important, too.
We can all learn to become more courageous – in our relationships, in our communities, in our alive, vibrant world. It isn’t easy.
Finding my courage
As a woman, mother, partner, friend, citizen, writer and therapist, this has been the work (and sometimes the play) of my life.
I’ve spent years learning from courageous people. Courageous people inhabit the books I write. They’re a lot like you and me. They aspire and they ache. They’re angry and complicated, beautiful and flawed. I’m always trying to be thoughtfully, lovingly courageous, and I often fail.
Because courage isn’t perfection. And it certainly isn’t the absence of fear.
Sometimes courage is just the next breath. Or the next step. Sometimes the only place we can be courageous is in our imaginations. And that, too, is powerful. The beginning of courage is always inside.
Your body is The Courage Room.
A place to explore what might become possible when we begin to imagine, witness, reframe and rewrite the stories of our lives.
As a long-time published author and therapist, I’m fascinated by the power of creativity and storytelling in healing. Many of my clients are creative, gifted and neurodiverse.
I offer Accelerated Hypnotherapy + OEI one-on-one with clients, as well as The Courageous Writers’ Academy and The Olive Grove Retreat in Lesvos, Greece.
I’d love to meet you.
Join me in The Courage Room
Seminars
A range of seminars for writers, women, and courageous people
I offer a variety of seminars on various topics that take place around the world.
Join a group of people who are searching for inspiration, connection, and courage.
One-on-One Therapy
psychoTherapy / Accelerated Clinical HypNosis
I’m a licensed psychotherapist who practices hypnotherapy and OEI, a brain-focused modality. I have a background in mentorship, creative coaching, and teaching. Learn more, and reach out for a free Accelerated Hypnotherapy Consultation.
Discover my Books
Author of twelve books on creativity and giftedness, as well as empathy and healing
From poetry to fiction, and creative nonfiction, Karen Connelly is a writer, educator and psychotherapist in private practice in Toronto, Canada.
Come join the Courage Words Community
If any of this resonates, I’d love to have you join me -- whether through one-on-one work, a group program, my books and writing, or the little Courage Words Community.
A couple of times a month, I send out The Courage Words Newsletter, with stories, words and somatic practices to help us build our courage muscles and take good care of our brains, bodies and spirits.
I also explore the intersection of creativity and healing through The Olive Grove Retreat, The Courageous Writers’ Academy, and occasional workshops online and in person.
Onward, friend. You can do it. In clinical hypnosis, we often ask the patient:
What’s the next smallest thing you can do to step into the change you desire?
Join me in answering that question.
Kind words from participants
What’s your next smallest step? Maybe it’s reaching out.
Contact Karen directly to begin your journey.