Courage - The power to Face Life’s Challenges Head-On

Courage is That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution. If you find yourself afraid to face difficulties, I have two pieces of good news for you: The first piece is the fact that you are not alone in this feeling. The other piece of good news is that anyone, including you, can develop courage.
Susan Jeffers, in her book, “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway” discusses the idea that by taking positive control of our lives, letting go of resistance, and ultimately choosing one’s attitude in life, we come out ahead. Sometimes stepping out in faith, feeling the fear and doing it anyway, works. We demonstrate courage by our faith. Being firm, level headed, and bold, even when we feel afraid is one way that we can develop courage.
We can also approach the situation a little at a time. If, for example, we are asked to speak in front of a large group, we might start by talking in front of a smaller, more intimate and supportive group. Then expand this to larger and larger groups until speaking in public is not an issue. The point is that you can take baby steps first; you don’t have to make the giant leap right away.
There are a number of other ways to find your courage. Some ideas include:
-Preparing for the task ahead. When you are well prepared, it tends to be easier to accomplish a task.
-Pick apart your fear. What is it based on? Most fear isn’t logical, and in reality, it makes more sense to be brave.
-Pushing yourself when you think you can’t face the task.
-Try again and again until you are capable of facing the task at hand.
-Use Bach Flower essences to help you overcome your fears and apprehensions.
In the movie “Evan Almighty”, Al Mighty (God played by Morgan Freeman) says to Evan’s wife Joan (Lauren Graham) that “God doesn’t give you courage. Instead, God gives you opportunities to be courageous.” The question is, are you ready and willing to step up to the plate and demonstrate courage?