Hi My Golden Friend,

I have to be honest with you.

When I sat down to choose our Intention for May, I hesitated for a moment.

Courage felt… big.

A little intimidating, even.

Like it belonged to people who climb mountains or start nonprofits or speak in front of thousands.

But here's what I wrote in our guided journal for this year, and I keep coming back to it:

May's Intention: Courage

Courage doesn't have to be loud.

Often it's quiet, ordinary, and deeply personal.

This month is about small brave moments — the ones no one applauds.

The ones that move you closer to truth.

You don't have to be fearless.

You just have to be willing.

Yes. That.

Because for those of us in the second half of life, courage takes on a particular kind of beauty.

We've already lived through the hard things.

We've crossed uncertain ground — some of it very rocky indeed — and we're still here.

Still curious.

Still... becoming.

Courage is sending the email you've been drafting for three weeks. It's making the appointment you've been putting off. It's saying yes to the thing that makes your heart race, or no to the thing that's been draining you dry. It's picking up the paintbrush again, or telling someone how you really feel.

Small. Brave. Willing.

This month, I want us to ask: What is my next small, true step? Not the enormous leap (though if that's yours, go for it, friend!). Just the next quiet act of courage that moves you closer to your gold.

Let's go looking together.

With you, Rachel

P.S. — What does courage look like for YOU this month? Hit reply. I'd genuinely love to know.

-->My Youtube channel: RachelAnneRidgeGOLD​

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