Courage for Everyday Life

Nelson Mandela once said that  "courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

I love that quote because it clears up the common misconception that to be courageous means to be fearless. In reality, courage means the willingness and the ability to act despite our fears. Courage doesn't have to look like a grand and heroic deed. Sometimes we are most courageous through what to others may seem ordinary. Courage can be applying for that promotion at work; it can be talking to a new person at a party; it can be finally starting your own business; going back to school; sharing your deepest feelings and thoughts to your partner; picking up the phone and making your first counseling appointment to talk about past and current hurts.  

Everyday, we are given opportunities to be courageous. Yet, how often do we allow fear to stop us in our tracks? We misinterpret the common human emotion of being afraid to be proof that we are somehow inadequate. We view our fear as an unsurpassable obstacles.  And we couldn't be more wrong! Experiencing fear makes us human.

Reframing our fears can be a powerful way of conquering them. It's important to remember that fear is useful and natural. Fear can be helpful in curbing some of our impulses, protecting ourselves, and making us think carefully about our decisions. But just like almost anything in life, we have to strive for balance and not allow for fear to be our only consideration when making decisions. 

We have power to master our fears. And what's more, if you've made it this far, it's probably because you have already had successes in surviving your fears. 

What does courage look like for you? What opportunities do you have to be courageous in your everyday life?