Courage

Wikipedia defines physical courage as bravery in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or threat of death, while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, discouragement, or personal loss. Courage exists in our vary DNA. Without it we would not have survived the saber tooth cat. We would not have survived the ice ages. We would not have survived oppression. Courage is not just available when everybody does it. It is also there when we are alone with our thoughts. Changing jobs, leaving a dysfunctional partner, sticking to a diet are all ways of using our courage.

We often don’t see ourselves as courageous, but we use it all of the time. For some, just getting out of bed is an act of courage.  Going into work and dealing with that irascible boss can be an act of courage. We get up and do all kinds of difficult things in our live and we still, we do not think we have the courage to go for the gold. I submit to you that if you can do those challenging things, you have the courage go for the good. But how do you use it?

Make a list of everything you’re afraid of. Get to know them. Now you’re saying, “What? Are you kidding? Just thinking about them gives me palpitations.” I know, but you need to understand them before you can confront them. Now, many people will tell you, “Just do them.” If that is too big for you, break it into smaller chunks. Use your intellect and your compassion to understand yourself and your fear. I promise you’ll get to the same place as those people who dive into their fears. The reason their approach works is because they prove to themselves that the thing they’re afraid of will not kill them. You can do that with your intellect and your compassion. There is more than one way to achieve that. By understanding your fear, you gradually come to the realization that you will not die when you overcome your fear. Overcoming fear is about learning to take risks.
Risk taking is important to success. Without it we never know what we can truly achieve. It has been shown that the greater the risk the greater the prize. So, if you’re not one of those people who goes bungy jumping to confront your fear of flying, make a list. Pick one. Spend time with it. Journal on it.  Meditate on it. Contemplate it. Chat with your therapist or coach. Find ways to chunk it up. Split it up into smaller pieces. Learn to see it in a new light. Realize that it was only there to protect you and you can choose another perspective. When we see it from a new perspective, we recognize that it doesn’t have the power it once had. Design a plan to confront it or transform it. When we break it up, we increase our chance of success. You don’t have to jump into a pit of snakes or out of an airplane. Have a plan to confront your fear. Keep it in the forefront of your mind and work on it every day. Only by a consistent habit of courage can we dwindle our list of fears until we no longer are ruled by them.