My pottery studio calls me during the dark nights of fall and winter. When I'm tempted to go to bed at 6:00, playing with the clay offers a productive alternative. Over the last decade, these dark nights have netted me many more pieces than I could ever use myself. My studio is full of bowls large and small, plus mugs and other fun pieces, just waiting for a new home. I also have box full of "almost" pieces that I'm not comfortable sharing with anyone. I love these pieces. They were my courage cultivators. In my book Dancing the Tightrope, I said this about courage: "…courage is actually the primary nutrient for confidence. We need courage in order to try something that might or might not work. Whether it's facing up to a difficult boss, making a critical presentation or trying out a new idea, we can't really be confident until we are willing to make a move with an uncertain outcome…Courage is the energy that says, "It's worth a try. I would rather make a mistake than regret not trying." Courage sees us through the moments of the Froth, keeping us focused on this moment, as we navigate through pressure-filled situations. After we have exercised our courage, we earn a different kind of confidence. With practice, our courage expands an inner-fueled awareness that we can handle whatever comes our way." My courage cultivators remind me that at one point in time, I chose to carry the heavy bottomed, weirdly colored, slightly ...