New Year, New Courage


Dear Reader,

How are you?

What would you do if you weren’t afraid? This is the title of a book by Michal Oshman. I want to share a quote from her book:

Accepting the fact that you can’t fully control your life - relationships, career, health, ageing - is one of the greatest ways to manage fear”.

Life is full of opportunities to be afraid, and as the New Year approaches, ask yourself: Are you fearful of what it brings? Or are you anticipating, hoping with all hope that you can quickly and quietly leave 2025 and its problems behind?

Here's the thing though, wherever you go and whatever day it is, there you are. So why not start now? What do you need to change today that you’re hoping will change in a few days or weeks? Whether you set goals or you simply resolve to do and be better in 2026, here are a few tips that can help you to start now:

  1. Write out your dreams, desires, and yes, your frustrations: Grab your notebook or journal and develop a habit to write every day. You will soon find that giving your thoughts a place to live rather than swirling around in your head will lighten the feeling of overwhelm.
  2. Create a vision board: Whether your dream is for you or your children, create visuals of what you want to happen in the future. Cut out photos or draw a picture of what that looks like for you and put it on the fridge or bathroom door - some place where you’ll see it regularly. For example, before I started SoloMoms! Talk, I had large PostIt! Notes on the wall between my bedroom and my bathroom. I wrote out what I wanted the show to be for single moms and added photos of those dreams.
  3. Start to believe: That trip you want to take, or that business you want to start or that husband you desire, is not a fallacy. Believe it can happen. Practice doing #1 & #2 often. Also, prepare your heart and mind for the dream to come true. For example, if you desire to start a business, think about what skills and resources you’ll need to start. Don’t just focus on the finances. Be courageous. Dream big. And believe it can happen for you.

Wrapping up, I want to say how grateful I am to have you in my life. I may not have met you, but I feel a kinship with you. I pray that all your dreams come true, starting today. I thank God and pray that He will keep you whole and safe going forward and that no matter what lies ahead, you will always have the courage to believe.

Happy New Year,

J. Rosemarie Francis
P.S. If you want to go deeper into these themes of emotional healing, I’ve put my heart into "Courage To Believe: 21 Day Devotional For Single Moms." It's now available in easy to read and affordable in Kindle as well as a beautiful paperback version. You can find both here.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
~ Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
 

From my blog...

Best Birthday Rituals for Midlife Women to Start Now

Whether you like to celebrate your birthday or not - no matter your age, you will have a birthday.

Read more to see my tips and strategies for making your next birthday not just another day... but awe-inspiring.

Join our Courage To Believe Facebook Group: https://tr.ee/JClurv

Listen to SoloMoms! Talk Podcast

Support the show. Listen to interviews from solo moms and other guest share tips and strategies, providing support to moms raising their children solo. Available on all platforms. Link below:


Image for Cook Eat Well: Easy Healthy Recipes

Cook Eat Well: Easy Healthy Recipes

by Lisa

Lisa shares quick and easy shortcut recipes that make healthy meals simple and tasty. Get ideas for healthy gluten-free dinners, snacks, breakfast, lunch and dessert from Cook Eat Well.

Free Download: Fear Infographic.png

Connect:

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
Unsubscribe · Preferences

SoloMoms! Talk

I'm a podcaster, blogger, and coach who loves to talk about health & wellness, lifestyle, and parenting & relationships. Subscribe and join over 500 solo mom newsletter readers every week!

Read more from SoloMoms! Talk

Dear Reader, How are you? I have a strange habit: I love watching my children sleep. They look so peaceful, don’t they? Watching my boys, I’ve often wondered what they’re dreaming about. But have you ever stopped to consider why they can just drift off without a care in the world even after making a fuss about wanting to stay up? It’s because they are comfortable with you. They rest in the quiet certainty that you are there, and you will be there when they wake up. You too can have that same...

Dear Reader, How are you? Sunday mornings can be complicated. For some, it’s a rush to get the kids ready. Alone. For others, it’s sitting in a church service, looking around at families sitting together, and feeling a deep, quiet ache. You can be surrounded by people and still feel completely invisible. I want you to know that I understand that feeling. I’ve sat in those pews. I’ve felt like I was shouting into a void where no one could hear me. But there is a woman in the Bible who knew...

Dear Reader, How are you? People thought I was crazy. It was 2007, the height of the financial crisis, I was a divorced mom with two pre-teen sons. And I had just made the gutsiest move of my life. I loaded my boys into my 2001 Toyota Camry, gave away everything that wouldn't fit, and drove 900 miles to New York City. My bank account was empty. I literally prayed that I wouldn't overdraw my account while filling up my gas tank. The only home waiting for us was a room in a house with a bunch...