Courage is acting in the face of fear. However sometimes it’s a little more nuanced than just that. Sometimes the action we need to take in the face of fear is to stand still, to witness.
Courage can simply be described as choosing not to disappear.
Maya Angelou once said, “Courage is the most important of all virtues because, without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently”.
She’s right. You can’t love without being courageous. You can’t lead without courage. You can’t forgive without courage. You can’t hope without courage. You can’t cast a vision without courage. You can’t walk away without courage.
Understanding that fear is often present when action matters most, is important to know so you are prepared for the arrival of fear. So, you can say to fear, “Ah! Yes! I have been expecting you”. Welcoming fear when it arrives, takes the sting out of fear. I mean the alternative, is what, you are surprised, shock and afraid? Rather just plan on fear showing up at least this eliminates the energy spent on being surprised and shocked.
And I agree with Maya Angelou, without courage you can’t consistently practice any other value you hold dear. So here is what courage is to me, “Courage is being accountable to your best self”.
So, when you feel fear, face adversity and hear the disapproval of others, welcome it…and then remember what you stand for. Remember your best self and be courageous.
Image from www.hotelazuretahoe.com
