Courage is...

“Courage Is the Tipping Point: Why This Client’s Story Matters to All of Us”

 In every transformative journey, there comes a moment when something clicks. Not just mentally, but in the heart, in the body, and deep within the subconscious.

My moment hit like a hard slap: “Wake up to yourself,” a voice said. “Enough is enough.” At a deeper level I was feeling such disappointment in the way I was living my life.  The same thing, day in, day out. At first, wine brought fun and freedom—but increasingly, it left behind days of misery and top-ups just to survive the week. “This is no way to live” the voice said “ You have to find a better way”.

 For a current client that moment came when she chose herself—her peace, her children, and her future—over the comfort of familiarity and the fear of being alone.

Her story was a potent reminder for us all of what it means to cross the threshold of courage. To move from unconscious, familiar patterns into empowered awareness. To go from “I don’t think I can” to “I absolutely will.”

The Myth of Moderation

For many, myself included, the struggle with alcohol isn’t sparked by a stereotypical rock bottom. It’s almost worse than that, it’s the slow, subtle erosion of self-trust. The false promises that “just one” will be enough. The deeper truth? If you still see value in alcohol, it will keep whispering your name.

If you feel like you’re missing out, you’re likely just watching the highlight reel—the fun, the release, the escape. But once you buy a ticket, you’re stuck for the whole movie. And it rarely has a happy ending.

Whilst this client originally toyed with the idea of moderation, she eventually stopped listening to that “just one” voice. She realized moderation wasn’t freedom—it was a trap. One that would subtly but surely reel her back in, making the next escape attempt even harder.

She reached 365 alcohol-free last weekend, and in doing so, she changed not just her life, but her children’s trajectory. That’s legacy-level transformation.

 Why Courage Is the Tipping Point

Dr David Hawkins* described courage as the gateway state to higher consciousness. It’s the moment we stop being victims of our conditioning and programming and start living from our deepest values, truth, and power.  We awaken to the reality that we always have a choice. Taking action is a choice, not taking action is also a choice.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s action in the presence of it. My client had every reason to stay stuck: a toxic relationship, the pressure of parenting, the pain of change. But she chose a higher path.

And that choice matters. Not just for her, but for every person watching—especially her kids.

Rewiring Takes Repetition

In our group session this week, we explored how the subconscious mind runs the show 95% of the time. That’s why conscious willpower isn’t enough. We must rewire the deeper beliefs—the ones that tell us we’re not strong enough, worthy enough, or safe enough without a drink.

That’s why celebrating small wins matters.

That’s why community matters.

That’s why conscious repetition, not punishment, creates transformation.

Final Thought

When you commit to creating a change in your life you must lean into courage.  Set a target, be it two weeks, a month, or longer.  During this defined period you set your sights on getting the experience of how it feels to make courageous change. You don't need to make life-long commitments, you simply commit to doing things differently, experimenting, and exploring.  

With courage as the catalyst it will take you to places you never imagined possible, and remember, you can always go back to your old ways.  But you'll never know if you'd want to unless you try.

To change your life you don’t need to be perfect. You need to be courageous.

So ask yourself: What would my life look like if I stopped waiting to feel ready—and chose courage today?

* Dr. David R. Hawkins was a psychiatrist and spiritual teacher best known for his work on consciousness and human behavior. His book Power vs. Force introduced the idea that courage is the tipping point—the level where we move from fear and limitation into real personal power. He believed that lasting change begins the moment we stop living in reaction and start living in alignment with our values. His work continues to guide people seeking a more conscious, empowered life. I highly recommend 'Letting Go - Pathway To Surrender' which we use as a guide in our advanced groups.