Hey, it’s my three-year blogging anniversary today, June 18th, 2016!! I wanted to honor this day and write something special so let’s take a short trip back in time, shall we?
Three years ago, one of my closest friends encouraged me to create this blog because she had one too. She’s a life coach and one of my biggest cheerleaders and motivators in my life and even though I was months away from becoming a life coach myself, I had reservations about starting this blog before I obtained that status. However, she encouraged me to just begin blogging and not worry about perfection. She said, “If you wait for a perfect time, that time never comes, begin it now.” So I did and Courage Coach was born. I had no idea what I wanted to write about, so one of my first posts was about courage itself which represented what I am all about and to show I walk the talk. After one post I felt like I had writer’s block already so for my second post I put up a photo of nature I took because I found it inspiring 😉
In that first year, I became a coach and used to blog once a month, finding topics related to life coaching and areas that interested me. I refined my tabs and my About Me page almost 50 times because I wanted to create this reading and writing space for two reasons. To market my life coaching business and to connect with people worldwide by writing on topics we all deal with in a positive light such as health and wellness goals, loss, how to forgive, and much more.
During my second year, I was blogging frequently because I felt more confident and I was fully into life coaching. The more I wrote about life the more I discovered myself in the process, I was falling in love with writing all over again and was starting to meet many people worldwide who connected with my words. My friend was right that in order to connect with people we shouldn’t worry about being perfect because when we’re willing to show up and be seen and allow ourselves to be imperfect, that’s where beauty is found and where connection lives.
This past year proved to be the most devastating and exceptional year of all. 2015 started out with a huge betrayal to me and despite this, I had to continue life coaching and inspire people even though I didn’t feel inspired myself at times. I am also a nurse taking care of other people and there were days I could barely take care of myself. It was the biggest personal internal war I ever fought aside from the fact of being abandoned on my own with two kids. Waves of emotion were drowning me and I had to find a way out so I turned to writing because it’s what I love to do and it literally saved me.
I wrote about quotes and topics I was dealing with to heal myself and after doing so, people were connecting with me even more because it was written with emotion and it was cathartic for me. I wrote my heart out and cried my eyes out and wrote in a way that was inspiring instead of venting and every time I did this, I felt a little better so I could continue living my new life as “normally” as possible while focusing on the positives I had. The more I focused on what I had, the more I received in return. Therefore, on one hand I was being abandoned by one person and on the other I was connecting with hundreds of others. Connection always wins.
My greatest surprise was making several friends in India who went from WordPress followers to Facebook friends and finally a trip to India to meet some of them in person who are a huge part of my life now. After blogging about my trip, my India following has increased dramatically and I love my nickname, the “daughter of India.” One day I’ll have to come back and meet everyone 🙂
In 2016 I did my first #A-Z Challenge which was so much fun and I had to write every day except Sundays. I met, even more, people who inspire me. The beauty of finding inspiration and life coaching is that it’s like a magic mirror. What you see in me, I also see in you.
One of my favorite things to do is to go through the WordPress reader and get caught up with everyone’s blogs and vlogs to see what’s inspiring you, read what’s on your mind and know that you’re okay. I have learned so much from everyone I am following! Commenting on blogs and reading comments is fun too, this always puts a smile on my face 😀
What I know for sure, is this blog represents life coaching, my writing, a worldwide community, friendships, family and 954 followers to date. Most of all, this blog represents me; a courageous woman who overcame adversity through writing. Ironically, I chose the right name for my blog after all. My job is to inspire you to be courageous and live your life to the fullest.
I am eternally grateful to be connected with ALL of you, it’s been quite a blogging journey with your love and support, I feel inspired and motivated to keep writing more and because of that, I’m writing a book on how I managed to get through this betrayal and what I learned along the way, I’ll let you know when it’s finished. My life is better now, many thanks to all of you.
Keep blogging and keep going people. We’re all in this together.
Cheers to three years…
All my love ❤
Jen
xo
Jen, congratulations on your three year anniversary. I always found you and your blog to be an inspirational. You alkways have positive thoughts and words to make a gray day blue. You mentioned you suffered some betrayal. Yet you never let that affect your focus. You continued with your positivity. You didn’t let it change your attitude. That is admirable.
I am so happy that we found one another.
Have a wonderful anniversary and weekend. Wishing you all the best. May your day be filled with sunshine and smiled.
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Andrew, your words make me smile and my heart sing! Thank you so much for all your support and liking my blog this much. It’s a challenge to be positive during a negative time as you can relate, but in the end it’s totally worth it. I’m very happy we are connected too, I love reading your blogs for so many reasons 🙂 Keep writing and inspiring us all too. Have a great weekend and thanks again for your lovely comment, and first one too 😉
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Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Thank you and a very Happy Father’s Day to you 🙂
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Congratulations on your three year anniversary, Jenny. As I say, your posts always make me smile; they are so positive and inspiring. Keep shining like you do. Wish you a most lovely weekend. ❤️
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Thank you endlessly Soumya for all your support in reading my blogs. You are an inspiration to me as well ❤ I hope you have a wonderful weekend too! 🙂
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Gee. You’re making me blush, and you’re always welcome. ❤️
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Aawww.. I’m glad I’m not the only one then 😉 ❤
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Many Happy returns of the day Jane.
Betrayal is suffocating. I salute you overcame it and did not let it spoil your happiness.
Be well my friend. 🙂
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Thank you very much for the wishes Mann, and yes betrayal is suffocating but we need to find a way out to survive. I really love your new avatar photo too 🙂 Very beautiful! ❤
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You have found your’s… not only to survive but to LIVE…:).
Thank you for the compliment. 🙂
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Thank you for your awesome comment 🙂
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A very Happy Birthday to this beautiful blog – Courage Coach! ❤ I'm immensely proud of everything you have done, of your bravery, and I love how much you fell in love with writing, Jen ❤ All of your posts are coated with the warmth, sweetness and compassion that comes straight from your heart ❤ Congratulations on the huge fan following! That list will go on endlessly in the days and years to come, darling ❤ I'm so happy for you! You are a 'Daughter of India' alright! 😉 ❤ Come back soon! ❤ Much love ❤
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Deepika your comments are always full of warmth and love too ❤ I look forward to hearing from you and I'm so happy we are connected here. When and if I come back to India we are definitely meeting up, I want to be inspired by you in person and give you a great big hug!! ❤ Thanks again for the lovely wishes and your kind words 🙂 Have a great weekend my love. ❤
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I’m so looking forward to meeting you when you come back, darling! ❤ I wanna give you a big hug too and be enveloped in your warmth ❤ You too have a great weekend, sweetheart, you're totally awesome, always loved and blessed immensely! Never forget that! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thanks so much for all the love Deepika, you are such a warm hearted girl ❤ Can't wait to meet you one day 🙂
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You are such a sweetheart, Jen, love you loads! ❤ Can't wait to meet you too! ❤
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❤ ❤
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I swear this made me feel so much better! You are an inspiration to all of us courage coach 😉 I wish life brings you endless joy! ! Lots of love for you 🙂
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Izza, I am so happy this made you feel good! I love reading your blogs and quotes they are so good and relatable 🙂 Thank you very much for your generous words and lots of love to you too ❤ ❤ I'm so happy to know you!
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Yes love for you too Jennifer! ! You always inspire me !! I am so happy to find you..I am so sorry I ain’t that active on Wp But it’ll make sure to read your posts 🙂
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I’m so happy to have found you too Izza you are just amazing! ❤ No apologies needed I know life is busy and plus we're connected everywhere else 😉
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You too love! !! 😍
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Sometimes blessings comes hidden under disguise 🙂 I know how much the last year took from you but yet you counted your blessings 🙂 That makes you, beautiful you ❤ Jenny ❤ Keep inspiring everyone 🙂 Way to go girl 🙂 Happy blogging anniversary dear 🙂 Many more such happy anniversaries to you 🙂
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Thank you from the bottom of my heart NJ ❤ Being able to meet you in India was like icing on the cake for me after going through all that. I'm happy to know you so well and I'm grateful you know me very well too 🙂 I can't believe it's been 3 years already, time flies when you're having fun 😛 Thanks again for your touching words, you always make me smile 🙂 ❤
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So we have been destined to meet up three years back and we took our sweet long time to meet up.. Hope our catching up doesn’t take that long, (despite our time zones and schedules)
Am sending you bucket full of wishes to see many more anniversaries (so I could have a visual treat of chocolate cakes.. 😉 )
Am also sending you heaps of love, so you never run out of them and keep sharing it..
And add a few truck loads of smile, coz there are few empty trucks lying around and I love your smile.. (I know right now you are grinning like a Cheshire cat or like Jenny having a heap of dark chocolate in front to eat.. Ah, that’s you! )
Now don’t let your cheeks get hurt with the grin, but do smile whenever the clock chimes ‘now’
With a heap of chocolate and a hop of love,
Aadhira 😀
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Aadhira, your message has definitely made me smile like a Cheshire cat from ear to ear 😀 The dark chocolate also helps as you know me too well 😉 Thank you SO VERY MUCH for all your love and support, your wishes and smiles. Having you in my life and WordPress family has been a joy for me because I love your poems and your comments are amazing! Hahaha..yes we certainly did take our time within these 3 years but better late than never 😉 I also hope we can catch up soon but our time difference has never been an issue 🙂 Sending you lots of love and hugs back, and many thanks for being YOU. xoxo
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Send me a cup of hot chocolate to get another big reply.. 😉
Till then my warm love and another big hug for you.. 🙂
And before I forget, thanks for liking my words.. 😀
We shall catch up real soon.. 🙂
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Hahaha..I’ll send you a hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles 😉 Thanks so much for the love and hugs, I look forward to catching up with you more soon 🙂 Your words are always so good 🙂
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The hot chocolate is taking too long to reach here.. 😛
Can’t resist nice words when the person is super nice.. 🙂
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Aaawwww…it’s you who is the sweetheart ❤ Maybe instead of hot chocolate we should eat chocolate ice cream instead during this heat wave 🙂 😉
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Now aren’t you taunting me with the ‘instead’.. It must be ‘in spite’ and then we could enjoy the hot chocolate AND ice cream! 😉
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Hahaha…my mistake, you are absolutely right! 😛 Why just go for one when we can have both, right? 😉
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Now that’s the way to think! 😀 😀 😀
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😂😂😂 thank you 😛
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Congrats!
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Thank you very much!! 😊😊
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My God Jennifer! You have given voice to so many of us through yours! I am new to this world of blogging and discoring it bit by bit. So happy to find yours. The positivity despite facing those devastating conditions is what makes you and a few people I know stand apart. I salute you. Writing heals me too. How amazing it is that you came all the way to India to meet blogger friends of yours 🙂 Will be looking forward to your upcoming doses of courage! Courage and Kindness are two qualities I appreciate the most! Cheers.. and lots of love….
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Hello Mana, what a pleasure to have you here and I must say, your words really made me feel happy inside. Thank you for liking my blog and the way I handled the situation. That’s so great you love writing and that you find it healing too ❤ I plan on writing more posts with courage and kindness woven into them, thanks so much for the love and support 🙂 I will be reading more of your blog as well. 🙂 Cheers!
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Many thanks Jennifer. I’d be honest. When I was added into a facebook group of WP bloggers, I remained aloof because I wanted my writing and reading to be free of obligations. But after reading this post of yours, I realised what wonders blogging community can create. And what warmth it is able to generate! I am happily surprised!
You know what? My work involves a lot of reading whole day. That might be pertaining to different subjects. But at the end of the day, I pick up my Chicken Soup book and recharge myself with any of its stories filled with courage and kindness. Also some Children’s classics like the Secret Garden, the Little Princess or Anne of Green Gables. I re-read then because I find them pure. I am going to read your work just like I read these favourite creations of mine.
My best wishes for you. And a warm welcome if you happen to be in India the next time!
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The blogging community here is like a supportive family and I’m so glad you are a part of it now. When and if I come back to India we will have to meet. I am familiar with most of the books you are reading and they are all inspiring which is great. It’s wonderful to be connected with you!! ❤
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What a Sunday I am having! Don’t you think Jennifer, that if we give a chance, life never stop uncovering more and more beautiful aspects of it? Indeed it is wonderful to be connected with you too! Meet, we will!
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Hahaha..me too, it’s a great Sunday, enjoy every minute of it! 🙂 Life is full of surprises that’s for sure 😉
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Congratulations love.. you have so many more amazing years to see and have tons of beautiful experiences.. love you honey..
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Thank you so much Bhavya ❤ I am really happy we met along the way and we can do many more writing years together. Love you too ❤
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you are welcome honey
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😘😘😘
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Happy bloging day.my dear solo traveler.xo xo .
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Thank you so much Aruna ❤ xoxo
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Congratulations and happy three year anniversary!
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Thank you very much for reading and leaving such a nice comment ❤ 🙂
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For your never ending love, for your warmth and for letting me be a bit more courageous – thank you! And thank God for you! Thank God that we came to know each other. Not a single writing or a comment escapes the warmth of your embrace….you are that special. Congo and thanks!
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A million thank you’s to you Sri ❤ I am so honored to have you in my life, we are able to learn courage from one another. Yes thank God we came to know each other! I really appreciate all your love and support whenever I write something, your words lift me up so high. Thank you again for being a big part of my WordPress family ❤ xo
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Some thousand days, and you have rocked here, inspired thousands and have won heart of many!
Wishing you many more of these ahead. 🙂 Happy Blogging, Jennifer! 🙂
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Wow, thank you so much Ankit for your very kind words 🙂 You’ve been here for many of my posts and I really appreciate your support for reading and commenting on them. I hope you’re doing well and will continue blogging too! 😀
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🙂 🙂 Yes, I have been lucky to be here and to read some exemplary content. 🙂
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Aaww…thank you so much!! 😀 😀 Happy you’re here 🙂
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Happy Anniversary…you are an inspiration!
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Lori you made my day!! Thank you for your lovely comment I really appreciate it ❤
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Yayyyy😘😘😘😘
Congratulations Jennifer:)
You’re doing a great job😃😃😃
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Thank you Sumit 😊😊😊
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This is amazing write up Jen !!!! Actually speechless ❤ All I want to say is that we all love you. 🙂
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Aawww ❤❤ thank you so much Pratyusha!! I love all of you too 😍
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❤ I always fall short of words for you Jen. Becuz I may have already used them for you or I fall short of vocabulary to express myself 😛 🙂 🙂 😀
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All of your words mean everything to me ❤❤
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A happy birthday to this inspiring blog which I have been silently reading for the while. Hope you gotta progress in your writings . 🙂
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Wow! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment😊😊 You are so kind to read my blog silently and then let me know. That means a lot. I will keep writing and soon I’ll have a book out. Thank you for your support 😊
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Thats so sweet of you ! Looking forward to see my own blog page at this height.! 🙂
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I’m following you now 😊😊 Hope you read your work as well 😊
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Thanks. Love 😊❤
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Most welcome ❤ 🙂
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