The power of courage
Why do some people have no courage?" asked my mentor Don Marquis. It is my belief that the answer is fear; fear of making a mistake, fear of failing, fear of ridicule, fear of rejection. There are others who display courage in their lives, but they do not do so out of choice.
I learned a lot about courage during the three years I spent as a counselor at a highly successful life coaching organization. During that time, I observed some very courageous behavior by some of the clients. What I observed was the willingness to accept responsibility for their behaviors and the courage to set aside fear. Some of these clients were afraid of failure, but they took the opportunity to pursue their dreams anyway. Others were courageous in making the changes necessary to become successful, but they did not let fear paralyze them.
One client, for example, had been fearful of death since he was a child. After experiencing a near miss in his youth, he became extremely fearful of dying. However, he believed that he had what it takes to be a very good leader. Even after experiencing the courage to quit smoking and doing what it takes to lead a very successful life, he continued to fear that he might face his mortality.
Another client had been afraid of death since he was very small. He had fallen down several times, and always ended up with a bloody nose. However, he continued to believe that he could overcome the obstacles that stood in his way. When he left his business, he traveled the world, hired himself an assistant, and traveled to different countries. In his book, The Last Lecture, he said that he was willing to face everything that life could throw at him, if that was the only way to learn how to face life head-on and to move forward.
I believe that courage is a choice. It is a choice to use fear to protect you from what might be a horrible outcome. While courage is sometimes required to get through an adversity, it is not a requirement for living a life that is full of happiness, success, and accomplishment.
Some of the most famous courageous people are people who displayed courage. For example, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others. They showed greatness in their time, but also set foot on this earth to make the United States a stronger nation. They did not just walk away from life; they boldly walked towards it.
Another example of a courageous man is Jesus Christ. He was so courageous that he lifted our spirits when we were down and gave us hope when we were hopeless. Courage is not a characteristic that is inherited or given by birth. It must be developed and brought out of our subconsciousness.
You can display courage by walking boldly through fear, overcoming adversity, and showing others that you can follow your dreams. Remember, it takes bravery to change your life, but it takes bravery to continue to live it. If you are afraid to take a risk, then you will never achieve your goals. Get out there, display courage, and change your life for the better.