Last week I attended a monthly virtual gathering of friends/colleagues. Each month we explore a topic that deepens our self-awareness and helps us expand into our full and highest potential.
This time we explored the word ‘courage’. It was such a rich topic that I wanted to share some of what came out of it with you.
How do you define courage?
Merriam-Webster defines courage as, the “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. … Courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.” Would you agree?
Consider this…
The root of the word courage comes from the French word ‘coeur’ or Latin ‘cor’, both of which mean heart, not mind.
Author and poet, David Whyte, says, “Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work; a future.”
Feel into that for a moment.
The amount of courage required is equal to your willingness to show up in your life. This speaks to being present and actively involved in creating a life where your heart has a say.
It’s easy to go through life as you always have, until the moment you want something more, better or different. And that doesn’t start as an idea in your head. It starts as a desire in your heart. A desire to feel better; happier — even if it means you have to summon up the courage to get yourself there.
As David Whyte says, “Courage is what love looks like when tested by the simple everyday necessities of being alive.”
Courage is required when…
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- you love someone and need to have a difficult conversation
It takes courage to make the time and say the words that need to be said.
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- you feel emotional
It’s courageous and loving to allow yourself to sit with your feelings because all feelings are valid. It can feel courageous to allow yourself to feel hurt and disappointed. It can also feel courageous to feel happy or proud. Courage can be required in all states of the human experience.
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- you’re ready to make a change or find yourself thrust into one
It takes courage to step into unknown territory without a clear path ahead. It takes courage to say Yes and move forward when most parts of you want to turn back the clock and stay where all is familiar.
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- you follow a dream
Even if you’re really excited about what lays ahead, a leap of faith is courage to trust your heart’s desire.
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- you’re loyal to your soul
We often find it easier to give to others than to give to ourselves. It can take courage to love yourself more and more, and to let your heart lead the way.
Courage is required any time you’re willing to risk something.
Whether it’s a desire to climb a mountain, the ladder of success, or the tree of life, whenever you feel fear for your physical safety or feel emotionally vulnerable, courage is required because your heart is involved.
What’s one way your life is currently asking you to be more courageous? Ask your heart for guidance.
If you’re ready to start listening to and trusting the whispers of your heart but aren’t sure how to begin or you’d like some guidance, I invite you to take my on-demand course called, Write To Your Heart. It will help set you on the path to a heartfully happy life. To learn more, click here.
If you’d like to work with me one-on-one, click here and we’ll set up a time to chat about what that can look like.
