Courage

Whether it is courage under fire or courage over fire, we all have courage within us. It can be seen in adults or children coping with illness or disability, a soldier defending their country, police and firefighters/paramedics going into harm's way, the poor and homeless, and everyone else overcoming adversities. The journey of life is filled with obstacles, and courage can help you accomplish the impossible at times. We learn from the courage shown by so many; the lessons are invaluable. We sometimes find courage in our darkest moments through trauma and unforeseen adversities. When we muster up the courage, it feels like a burst of energy soaring through our body. It is like an impenetrable armor that protects and fights on behalf of us. Our ability to succeed is not left solely to us but to all those who love and support us as well. Courage defines us, our ability to sustain and fight the battles of life. The will to persevere enables hope to thrive beyond expectations and can surprise us all. Whether you dare to do right by others or have the courage to find the strength to fight your battles. All that matters is that you are capable of doing the unexpected,  even if you least expect it, and it is because you are courageous. We are sometimes surprised by our individual strengths regardless of what we face in life. Find the courage within, and you may be pleasantly surprised by it. You will no doubt learn more about yourself, your abilities, and your own resilience.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Franklin D. Roosevelt 

"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts." - John Wooden

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." 

- Winston Churchill

"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." - John F. Kennedy

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." - Muhammad Ali

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." 

- Dale Carnegie

Your life experiences make you stronger,  especially when you can overcome many obstacles and challenges. As you learn to identify your own strengths, your courage will no doubt shine through. Strength of mind is your foundation for being courageous; without a strong mindset, you are unable to face those demons from derailing your goals in life. Keep in mind being courageous is not easy as you cope with and face all the challenges. I, myself, struggle daily, as I am bombarded with the facets that come with chronic illness and disability. Being courageous helped me restore hope in myself, so I can continue to fight my battles. Courage can also be contagious; when others see you being courageous, it gives them hope and propels them to do amazing things. Encouragement instills hope, optimism, and upliftment when someone needs it the most. Whether you encourage an adult or child, it helps in their growth and development as an individual. Your compassion for people gives you the ability to encourage and help them be hopeful, which in turn gives them the motivation to keep trying and not give up on themselves. When you are to do right by others, stand up for the weak, and lift others to better themselves, you are no doubt a better human being. Courage can be seen in children and adults since we never know what someone goes through in life. Your individual experiences are life lessons that others can learn from, and your courage is a gift of hope. Courage gives you strength, your determination gives you hope.

"Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."

- W. Clement Stone

"Courage is found in unlikely places.

J. R. R. Tolkien"

"We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Courage is knowing what not to fear."

- Plato

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”

– Mary Anne Radmacher

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

- Socrates

"Courage is grace under pressure."

-Ernest Hemingway

I always believe we can support others by leading by example. It is not easy, but it is imperative to stay focused and keep the fight going. Daily struggles will no doubt test your resolve, and sometimes you may feel like giving up. Don't let roadblocks limit your progress, being courageous is like having a suit of armor, ready to take on your battles. Do your best to overcome all the obstacles and challenges you may face. Each of us may experience various limitations; you must not let limitations impede progress. A limitation is a mere roadblock at a certain point in time, keep in mind there are always alternative routes to avoid roadblocks in life. Your courage and strength allow you to overcome your limitations. Fear and anxiety often prevent you from overcoming these challenges and limit your ability to fend them off. That is the reason courage proves extremely valuable as your strength booster. Courage serves as a positive defense mechanism, helping you when you need it the most. We all have courage within us, all it needs is your ability to step up for yourself. It may not be easy at times, especially when you are confronted and limited by fear and anxiety. Be an example, set yourself apart from others, and lead by example. If you can stand the test of time, the will and grit to persevere, you are already courageous. Let your courage direct the path you take, and you will be defined by it.

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point." - C. S. Lewis

"The secret to happiness is freedom... And the secret to freedom is courage."

- Thucydides

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior."

- Carl von Clausewitz

"I learned 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."

- Nelson Mandela

"You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." - Aristotle

"Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount."

- Clare Boothe Luce