Discover a daily dose of courage

Courage doesn’t always mean putting yourself in danger or facing down fears. Discover a daily dose courage here.

It comes from within and is evident in honesty, kindness, and compassion.

When you hear the word courage, what do you think? Does it conjure up ideas of climbing the world’s highest mountains against all odds? Of saving another person’s life? Or facing your fears and doing something despite them? Certainly, these are all brave actions, but the virtue of ‘courage’ can also be found in everyday acts and feelings that are available to us all.

To fully understand what courage means, it helps to know that it originates from a Latin root word meaning ‘of the heart’ and is linked to your choices, how you treat others and in being yourself. Brené Brown is a university research professor who has spent many years studying this quality. She defines it as ‘telling the story of who you are with your whole heart’.

Brené calls this ordinary courage, and it’s not based on heroics or extraordinary circumstances, but in being honest, truthful, and sharing your whole self with the world.

Someone who understood what this looked like was the celebrated poet, writer, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. She believed courage was kindness, truth, mercy, generosity, and honesty in action.

In the face of discrimination and adversity she remained true to who she was, showed compassion and was forever generous with her creativity.

When you find ways to be truthful, honest, and kind, you are being courageous. This is also the case when you do the things you love and follow your passions, especially if your friends don’t share your interests.

Courage can also grow with practice. Like swimming or learning an instrument, the more you repeat the action, the more you understand it and the easier it becomes. Sometimes it might require you to make difficult choices, but each time you make a decision based on truth, kindness, or generosity, your inner bravery shines through.

So, how can you grow and strengthen this muscle? Try a daily dose of courage for a week and see how it makes you feel – you could even keep a record of your progress in a journal. At first it might seem strange or uncomfortable, but the more you put this quality to work in your life, the braver you’ll become.

FOR A DAILY DOSE OF COURAGE:

GET AN EARLY START

For Brené, whenever she gets up in the morning, she puts her feet on the floor and says: ‘Today, I will choose courage over comfort. I can’t make any promises for tomorrow, but today I will choose to be brave.’

SEE SMALL AS SIGNIFICANT

The best way to nurture your courage is to start with small actions and build on them as you go. Make a list of all the decisions and choices of courage you can act on – you could try one out today.

REMEMBER COURAGEOUS PEOPLE

Find out about those who have shown this inner strength. It could be learning more about Maya Angelou, for example, and writing down the ways in which she was brave, as well as the things she said or did. Or there might be someone closer to home – an auntie, uncle, or grandparent – whose actions and statements are inspiring. Jot down some of their wise words and deeds to reread when you need a boost of courage.

TAP INTO YOUR PHYSICAL SELF

Linking the feeling of courage to your body can improve how you move and hold yourself. It might help you to walk with a spring in your step, smile broadly or even feel more comfortable about making eye contact when you’re speaking to someone.

PUT KINDNESS INTO ACTION

Look for opportunities to be generous and honest towards others and yourself. You could get in touch with a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while or support a family member who needs help.

SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW

Be brave and share your talents, creativity, and ideas with others. You might feel nervous about this at first, but it could inspire and encourage other people to follow their passions and dreams.

CONSIDER YOUR ‘NO’ AS WELL AS YOUR ‘YES’

Sometimes saying no and taking a step back is necessary if you’re to be true to yourself. It’s often easier just to offer a plain: ‘No, thank you, I’d prefer not to,’ or ‘I’d rather do something else,’ than it is to overcomplicate the issue with expanded explanations.

TALK ABOUT EMOTIONS

Being honest, kind, compassionate, and open can make you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or uncertain. Talk to a trusted adult about how you’re getting on and remember to be kind to yourself.

BEFRIEND COURAGE

See it as a friend who stands with you when you make decisions and choices in your life and will be there with new-found strength to draw on each day.


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