Courageous willingness: Making good use of what we have

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the Spanish word aprovechar, which means “to make good use of something.” This simple concept has been a guiding light for me, especially when I face challenges in a class or project. Instead of striving to push beyond what feels possible, I remind myself to use what I have at hand. Whatever resources are available to me—both internal and external—are enough.

In his book Secrets of the Talking Jaguar, Martin Prechtel offers a powerful distinction between courageous willingness and willfulness. He explains that when we are courageously willing, we work with our natural souls, using what is already present. This approach keeps us aligned with Spirit and allows us to be a “good gift” for the world.

This resonates deeply with my own work. Whether I’m guiding students in a workshop or navigating my own creative projects, I’ve seen how transformative it is to honor what’s naturally available instead of forcing a predetermined outcome. Creativity and growth flourish not when we impose willfulness, but when we meet the moment with openness and courage.

Courageous Willingness in Creativity

In my workshops, I often see participants struggling to trust their own resources. They want to get everything “right” or produce something perfect, but creativity doesn’t work that way. The richest breakthroughs happen when we work with what’s in front of us—whether it’s an incomplete idea, a metaphor that emerges unexpectedly, or even the energy of the group.

“Courageous willingness” is about embracing the process, using the resources at hand, and trusting that they are enough. It’s about seeing limitations not as obstacles but as opportunities to deepen our connection with Spirit and ourselves.

A Gift for Spirit

Prechtel’s words remind me that when we approach our work and lives with this kind of openness, we become a “good gift” for Spirit. It’s not about striving or controlling; it’s about showing up fully with what we have, honoring the moment, and allowing the natural flow to guide us.

So today, I invite you to consider: What resources are already available to you? How can you make good use of them without pushing or forcing? When we work with what’s here, we create space for something larger to emerge—something that connects us to Spirit and makes us a gift for the world.