Courage Is Essential!
Maximum Life: Unlocking Your Full Potential in 2025
This article excerpted from Maximum Life: Unlocking Your Full Potential Through Inner Growth, Momentum, And Impact by Iann Schonken at Amazon.com.
Courage is a vital component of a fulfilling life. It empowers us to face challenges, take risks, and pursue our dreams despite fear and uncertainty. Being courageous doesn’t mean the absence of fear; it means acting in spite of it.
In this newsletter we’ll explore the different types of courage—physical, moral, and emotional—and provide strategies for developing and exercising bravery in various aspects of life.
The Essence of Courage
Courage is often associated with heroic acts, but it also manifests in everyday decisions and actions. It takes courage to speak up for what you believe in, to stand by your values, and to make changes that improve your life. As C.S. Lewis aptly put it:
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” [1]
This underscores the idea that courage is integral to living a virtuous life.
Courage is essential for several reasons:
Firstly, it powers action. Without courage, we remain stuck in our comfort zones, unable to take the necessary steps toward growth and fulfillment.
Secondly, it fosters change. Courageous individuals are willing to challenge the status quo and advocate for positive change in their lives and communities.
Lastly, courage leads to growth. Facing fears and overcoming obstacles strengthens our character and builds resilience.
Living without courage can lead to a life of regret and unfulfilled potential. When we allow fear to dictate our actions, we miss out on opportunities for growth, connection, and achievement. Mark Twain famously made a very insightful observation:
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” [2]
This highlights the necessity of confronting and managing fear rather than avoiding it.
Types of Courage
Physical Courage: Physical courage involves facing physical challenges and dangers. It is often associated with acts of bravery in the face of physical harm, such as rescuing someone from a dangerous situation. While not everyone may face life-threatening scenarios, physical courage can also be about pushing personal boundaries, such as training for a marathon or trying a new physical activity.
Moral Courage: Moral courage is the strength to stand up for what is right, even when it is unpopular or comes with personal risk. It involves adhering to ethical principles and advocating for justice and integrity. As Maya Angelou said, “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.”3
Emotional Courage: Emotional courage is the ability to face and express our emotions, including vulnerability, grief, and fear. It involves being honest with ourselves and others about our feelings and experiences. Brené Brown, a researcher on vulnerability, states, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”4 This type of courage is crucial for building authentic relationships and fostering personal growth.
Developing and Exercising Courage
Face Small Fears First: Begin by confronting smaller fears to build your courage gradually. This could be something as simple as speaking up in a meeting or trying a new hobby. Each small victory will increase your confidence and prepare you for larger challenges.
Reframe Fear as Excitement: Shift your perspective on fear by viewing it as a sign of impending growth and excitement. This mental reframing can reduce the paralyzing effect of fear and help you approach challenges with a more positive mindset.
Affirm Your Courage: Use positive affirmations to reinforce your courageous mindset. Remind yourself of past successes and affirm your ability to handle future challenges. This can strengthen your resolve and boost your self-confidence.
Support Others Being Brave: Encouraging and supporting others in their courageous acts can inspire you to be brave as well. Surround yourself with people who demonstrate courage and learn from their examples.
Seek Role Models: Identify role models who embody the type of courage you aspire to. Study their lives and the challenges they faced. Their stories can provide inspiration and valuable lessons on how to cultivate and exercise courage.
Biblical Guidance on Courage
The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the importance of courage. In Joshua 1:9 NIV, God commands Joshua:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
This verse reminds us that courage is not only essential but also that we are not alone in our endeavors.
Another powerful verse is found in 2 Timothy 1:7, which says:
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
This passage encourages us to embrace the strength and courage that comes from God, enabling us to face our fears and challenges with confidence.
Practical Steps To Get Started:
Set Courageous Goals: Identify areas in your life where you want to be more courageous. Set specific, achievable goals that challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. For example, if public speaking scares you, set a goal to speak at a small event.
Visualize Success: Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself successfully facing and overcoming your fears. This mental practice can increase your confidence and readiness to tackle real-life challenges.
Embrace Vulnerability: Allow yourself to be vulnerable and open about your fears and struggles. Sharing your experiences with trusted friends or a support group can reduce the power of fear and provide encouragement.
Take Incremental Steps: Break down larger challenges into smaller, manageable steps. Tackling these steps one at a time can make the overall goal less daunting and build your courage incrementally.
Reflect on Past Successes: Regularly reflect on past instances where you demonstrated courage. Remind yourself of the strength you showed and the outcomes you achieved. This can reinforce your belief in your ability to be courageous.
“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.’” [5] —Eleanor Roosefelt
Conclusion
Courage is a fundamental virtue that enables us to face life’s challenges and pursue our dreams despite fear and uncertainty. By understanding the different types of courage and actively working to develop and exercise bravery, we can lead more fulfilling and impactful lives.
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” [6] —E.E. Cummings
Embrace the journey of cultivating courage and let it guide you to a life of growth, resilience, and fulfillment.
[1] C.S. Lewis, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”Accessed July 10, 2024.https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/c_s_lewis_100842.
[2] Mark Twain, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mark_twain_138540.
[3] Maya Angelou, “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/maya_angelou_132601.
[4] Brené Brown, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/625801-courage-starts-with-showing-up-and-letting-ourselves-be-seen.
[5] Eleanor Roosevelt, “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.’” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.fdrlibrary.org/eleanor-roosevelt.
[6] E.E. Cummings, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/e_e_cummings_161593.