Courage is a curious thing. Those who have it need not have it explained. Those who do not have it don’t understand it at all. Courage is not the absence of fear. Nor is it fearlessness. Nor is it bravery. Courage is living from your heart.
People with courage have just as much fear as the next person.
Osho, the spiritual leader explains: “In the beginning there is not much difference between the coward and the courageous person. The only difference is, the coward listens to his fears and follows them, and the courageous person puts them aside and goes ahead. The courageous person goes into the unknown in spite of all his fears.”
When you have courage, going into unknown, uncharted territory is an adventure. There is a thrill to it. It’s like getting on a roller coaster for the very first time. There is nervousness, anticipation and excitement with a bit of fear mixed in for good measure. Every fiber in your body is aware. You feel so very much alive.
Accept the challenge of the unknown in spite of all your fears.
Recently, I was asked to speak at an event out of town. Honestly, this was the first time I’d been asked to do this. When the organizer asked me, immediately, I felt a catch in my throat. Was I going to be good enough? Would the attendees connect with what I was going to share? Or would I be a flop? Did I have the courage?
I wouldn’t define myself as a courageous person. I’ve learned over time how to accept the challenge despite what I’m feeling. I’ve come to realize courage isn’t something that you do – it’s a way of being.
Courage: Living From the Heart
The word “courage” comes from the Latin “cor” which means “of the heart.” To be courageous means to live from the heart.
To live with courage means to embrace the known insecurity of life and live in it, with love and trust. Those who live with their head full of the known and seek safety and security cannot live life to the full. You can never be fully alive this way.
The way to move forward is in listening to the heart consciously, alertly, and attentively, and to follow where it leads you.
Will you make mistakes? Yes. Will you make errors of judgement? Yes. Will you have to start over from time to time? Of course.
And in all that you do, you will learn, you will grow, your confidence and competence will rise, and you will become infinitely wiser because of it.
If you develop courage – courage to face a challenge, make a decision, take action, and resolve it – everything changes.
You only need to think about a challenge long enough to understand it. Then make a decision about it and immediately take action on that decision. Any anxiety you may be suffering about your challenge evaporates in that moment.
Live the Adventure
Both in life and in business, fortune favors the courageous. Courage encourages us to live in the moment, to be alive. Not to dwell on the past or to waste time worrying about the future. Courage forces you to be present.
As it turned out, I didn’t end up speaking at the event. I wasn’t sad about it. I honestly believe nothing happens before the time. I understood that the process of figuring out my schedule, listening to my heart and leaning into my gut wisdom was an opportunity for me to grow. To accept the challenge and commit to it was a part of developing my courage muscle.
Courage will ensure that you will live a most fulfilling life. You won’t get everything right. You’ll stumble and fall. The beauty of the falling is the strength that you develop each time you get back up. It takes courage to rise up.
Listen to your heart. What is it saying that you need to be courageous about?