A client recently asked, "What is courage?". "Is it the absence of fear or is it the capacity to subdue fear in order to act?"
Fear is an automatic response when we percieve danger, both physical and psychological danger. Obviously, an earthquake or a burgler will provoke a fear response. Life threatening situations trigger an innate fight or flight response to elicit self-preservation. This is necessary for the continuation of a species.
What about fear of public speaking? Or taking tests? Or making significant changes in our lives such as moving, marrying, divorcing, or changing jobs? There are risks thats why there is fear. Psychological dangers of being judged, rejected, or failing are real concerns for most people to some degree or another. Perception effects all experiences and responses in people so, the degree of fear response will vary, but it is real.
The question is then, what is courage? It is not the absence of fear. It is not the ability to subdue fear. Courage is taking a chance despite the fear you experience. Taking that first step toward self-preservation even when the fear is psychologically based in order to create the best life you can for yourself.
Courage is taking a chance even when the outcome is unknown, thus scary. Making a change even though you are not sure. Doing something, experiencing something, challenging yourself even when you may be judged.
Courage. It's what keeps us all marching forward despite the odds. Courage builds character, inner strength, and integrity. Courage can be cultivated in one's life. With just one step toward the changes you'd like to experience you are demonstrating courage. You can feel good about that.
Fear is an automatic response when we percieve danger, both physical and psychological danger. Obviously, an earthquake or a burgler will provoke a fear response. Life threatening situations trigger an innate fight or flight response to elicit self-preservation. This is necessary for the continuation of a species.
What about fear of public speaking? Or taking tests? Or making significant changes in our lives such as moving, marrying, divorcing, or changing jobs? There are risks thats why there is fear. Psychological dangers of being judged, rejected, or failing are real concerns for most people to some degree or another. Perception effects all experiences and responses in people so, the degree of fear response will vary, but it is real.
The question is then, what is courage? It is not the absence of fear. It is not the ability to subdue fear. Courage is taking a chance despite the fear you experience. Taking that first step toward self-preservation even when the fear is psychologically based in order to create the best life you can for yourself.
Courage is taking a chance even when the outcome is unknown, thus scary. Making a change even though you are not sure. Doing something, experiencing something, challenging yourself even when you may be judged.
Courage. It's what keeps us all marching forward despite the odds. Courage builds character, inner strength, and integrity. Courage can be cultivated in one's life. With just one step toward the changes you'd like to experience you are demonstrating courage. You can feel good about that.
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