Paulo Coelho says it so perfectly, truthfully, and powerfully...
Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.
Courage. Coelho is talking of courage, that is, courage to take on pain, disappointments, challenges... head on, but with the heart as a weapon. Using that dream implanted in your innermost being. That indomitable spirit of yours. As a sword.
Courage. It is not the absence of fear. Rather it is acknowledging fear, but again, facing it with an unbreakable stance --- that no matter the circumstance, one dreams.
Courage. We see it in a father, despite the uncertainties of the future, moving forward. He has a most potent weapon and the best motivation --- his love for his wife and children, and the need to make life better for all of them.
It is in a mother who battles day and night, with no rest breaks, required to be alert 24/7, must never be sick... cleaning the house; washing clothes and the dishes; feeding the children; making sure the husband is comfy; just making certain everyone is happy. She is happier, still.
It is in a daughter or son, who dreams of a life outside the home, outside the comforts and the all-too-reaching arms of the parents. Yet, in the darkest of times, when everything seems to be going wrong, finds her way back home --- humbled... then, realizes that the reason for it all, all that toiling, is found 'at home'... in the comforting embrace of Nanay and Tatay.
It is in a government employee who refuses to follow his superior's corrupt ways; or a private company manager's campaign against immorality within and outside his organization.
It takes courage, too, to pray in public; or to express one's individuality. Most especially, it takes a huge chunk of Mt. Courage to go against the tide and times; and to not be ashamed for being different or disliked for choices made.
Courage.
It is in our simple, everyday lives that courage, the full demonstration of it, can be found in all corners of our homes, workplaces, parks, churches, etc. It is in the mundane.
Courage. We must be able to sense it. So we can be courageous, too.
Psychology Today provides a list of the six attributes of courage and a few quotes, too, so we may visualize courage.
1.) Feeling fear yet choosing to act:
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is who is not afraid, but he who conquers that fear." --- Nelson Mandela
2.) Following your heart:
"And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." --- Steve Jobs
3.) Persevering in the face of adversity:
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, I'll try again tomorrow." --- Mary Anne Radmacher
4.) Standing up for what is right:
"Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." --- Maggie Kuhn
5.) Expanding your horizons; letting go of the familiar:
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." --- Lord Chesterfield
6.) Facing suffering with dignity or faith:
"The ideal man bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances." --- Aristotle
If you've got kids, you would have been introduced already to Cartoon Network show, Courage, The Cowardly Dog and his many adventures. Or if you read a lot, you would have come by Kishimi and Koga's The Courage To Be Disliked.
But no other example can beat the best and holiest model of courage there is in the then and now --- Jesus Christ. In Matthew 26:39, He said:
"My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." (New Living Translation)
There is a reason, a purpose, for the numerous adversities in our life, for the stumbling blocks along the path to our dreams. These are pre-destined, and necessary.
We live such short lives. Now, when faced with the smallest or the biggest of challenges, let us tell our hearts: no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream... your will be done, not mine.
This should boost our Courage Quotient. Love and Light.
 |
| Courage photo from https://pixabay.com |
