Are you letting external circumstances dictate your faith?

Faith (noun): firm belief in something for which there is no proof; something that is believed especially with strong conviction; without question. Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Faith is a particularly special and powerful thing. It’s something everyone can have whether they’re religious or non-religious. Faith is fact. And when you’re on the journey of making your dreams come true: Faith is King.

One thing about faith is that you have to activate it. For a lot of people, it’s difficult to initiate. How do you actually activate faith if it’s just a firm belief in something?

For example, what happens when you sit on a chair? Yep. You just sit on it. You don’t question it. You don’t see whether the chair legs are old and squeaky. By sitting in the chair, you’re having faith or complete belief that the chair will hold you up.

That’s how simple it is to activate your faith.

But what does that look like in a real world scenario?

It looks like staying committed to the things you want to do and keeping your belief in your dreams even when circumstances get tough, challenging or difficult.

Because why would you give up if you are activating (making all the brave moves to bring your dream to reality) if you are having faith that everything is going to work out despite not having proof that it will AND despite what the external appears to be.

What’s the external you ask? Well, external circumstances can look like: not having enough funding, support or resources. (;

Keep the faith this week. Stay true to you. Stay loyal to your dream with the full belief that it’s already here for you.

She’s Brave

Joanna Griffiths recently announced Essity, an international health and hygiene brand, acquired her company Knix for 80% with shares being worth $320 million. Knix is an intimate apparel brand on a mission to inspire all people at every age to live unapologetically free, making its mark as the leader in leakproof underwear.

While Knix was getting up and running, Joanna Griffiths led the scale of the company through fundraising and other external investors. Knix has built a wonderful community and has over 2 million customers! I wanted to highlight a particular story Joanna brought up via her Instagram.

She started off her caption reflecting on previous comments she received about “being too niche” despite her product being needed from half the population. She also mentioned that because she chose to have real customers featured in her marketing campaign, certain investors told her it “wasn’t very attractive and should consider switching strategies”. Yeah, crazy, right?

And to top it off, after staying away from Silicon Valley for some years because of her negative experiences, while raising a Series B round pregnant with twins, she faced maternal discrimination. She recalled how certain investors, despite having built a strong business and brand with great traction, commented that “‘no one wants to be the last money in before she goes and has twins’ while another expressed fears that I would ‘take the money and run’”.

Incredulous. I know.

Despite these difficulties and mean comments, she went on to successfully raise a Series B round for her company. This goes to show that as a woman, you can be really successful and still face backlash, criticism and even discrimination. However, this is not to discourage you, but to shine light that women are strong and resilient.

Joanna Griffiths is brave. She’s so brave because: 1) It’s not easy founding a company 2) It’s not easy raising money in SV 3) It’s not easy being pregnant and a mother.

But while doing and being all of those things (and more), she found a way to persevere. She was determined to keep going and not let someone’s low opinion of her (which really is just a true reflection of the person spewing those words) tarnish her work or stop her from accomplishing her mission.

She set a precedent for so many women out there.

She concluded her Instagram post expressing that “I hope this is a record I hold for a very short period of time, and can’t wait to cheer on whomever holds it next”.

If she did it, so can you.

Chief Dream Aim

What’s your Chief Dream Aim? What’s that one dream you’ve been wanting to accomplish for so long?

Maybe you’re like me and have tons of dreams. For the longest, it was hard for me to choose just one thing I was okay with pursuing.

But I finally figured it out because my why was strong enough.

I want you to choose just one dream. Your Chief Dream Aim. And pursue it.

You may be thinking, “Does that mean I have to give up on my other dreams?” Of course not!

However, when you have a definite focus and you’ve got your mind locked on a specific target, you’re more likely to follow-through and see your dream to completion versus if you had multiple targets.

Not only will this propel you, but seeing your one dream come to fruition, will open the door for the rest of your dreams to come true.

Stay focused. Stay true to your dream. Stay loyal to the pursuit of your passion.

This will pay off for you. Greatly.

Affirmation

I AM exactly who I desire to be. Right now, I choose to believe that I’m living my dream life. Not only do I have faith, but I act in my faith despite outward experiences.

I AM sufficient to carry out all tasks pertaining to my goals. If there is something I’m unsure of, the people, places, events and experiences will show up to help, assist and guide me.

I OPERATE in full confidence knowing that my dream is now a reality. Therefore, I EXPRESS gratitude and will pass the good feelings to someone else in need.

My health, my mind, my finances, my relationships, my business, my dreams are in perfect order, perfect health, perfect peace, and perfect abundance.

I AM doing what it takes to activate my faith by changing my inner world so my outer world will thrive.

Founder’s Feature

The theme of faith has been showing up in my life pretty consistently lately. Granted, it’s something I’ve been thinking about in passing, but it hasn’t been at the forefront of my mind.

Worry has. More on that in a bit.

I’ve been seeing people talk about faith across social media this week, and it’s not unusual for people to talk about their experiences using their faith. As I reflect, I think these instances have been signs for me. Signs I didn’t ask for. But signs I didn’t know I needed.

So, back to worry. I’ve been worrying about something in my life, not with my words, but with my subconscious thoughts and actions. I’ve been activating worry but completing actions that go against what I say I have faith in.

When you’re making brave moves and creating a life you love, there’s no such thing as part-time faith.

You’ve got to operate in full-time faith if you want the full-time benefits.

That’s what I’m learning. When it comes to BRAVELY or any other aspect in my life, I’m applying full-time faith because I know faith will carry me when worry will only worry me!

So, if there’s something you’ve been worried about, I encourage you to activate your faith. Make those brave moves and think those brave thoughts.

Even when things all around are saying the opposite of what you’re having faith for, keep the faith anyway.

Why? Because you have the power to speak life and positivity over your own life.

Forget what the outside says! What do you say?

And, you’ll find that’s all that matters.

As I encourage you, I encourage myself to: Check my thoughts, Activate My Faith and BELIEVE.

Together, we will continue to make #BRAVEMOVES.

You can do anything,

Ayanna

#BRAVEMOVES Challenge

If you haven’t noticed, the BRAVE MOVES newsletter got an exciting update and makeover. And because you’re already apart of the fam, you may not have realized, we added a new landing page to our website for all of our new subscribers.

Upon arrival, all of our new fam members will receive our BRAVE MOVES Self-Care workbook (which is pretty darn helpful imo!).

So, for this week’s challenge, I’d love for you to take a look through the workbook and do some of the exercises. When you do, let us know! Feedback is our jammy jam.

You can download it here :)

BRAVE SUPPORT

You’ve got a problem? We have a solution! We’re so happy to announce the first iteration of our advice chatline. Each week, a member of our community will ask us a question in regards to pursuing their dreams or becoming better and braver, and a member of our team will answer the question with insightful advice, guidance and suggestions. We want to continue our support in helping you make your dreams come true. We got you, girl. So, ask away. Want to be anonymous? Just let us know when you ask your question.

Send all questions to [email protected] with the subject line: BRAVE SUPPORT

Fun Updates

Make sure you’re subscribed to BRAVELY’S Youtube Channel. We’ve got some excited things launching on that platform and we definitely want our #BRAVEMOVESFAM to get first dibs.

If you have any fun updates you’d like to share. For example, if you’ve made a brave move this week, started a new creative endeavor or have a story you’d like to share on how you’ve become better and braver recently, let us know! You should be applauded for your bravery!

Wrap-Up

Stay aware of how your faith activation comes in handy as you’re making brave moves this week. Let your faith be fuel and make brave moves with unshakable confidence.

Cheers!

The BRAVELY Team

Spread the Movement

Share this newsletter and inspire someone you know to make some BRAVE MOVES.