A couple of years ago I challenged myself to be more courageous and to do one thing each month that took me out of my comfort zone. Something that required me to stretch into a place I hadn’t been before, learn something new, push past a fear or doubt, and take a chance. It was a turning point in many ways because by being open to seeking courage, new doors opened and my personal growth compounded. Looking back, I’m really proud of that decision. Not just because of the big things I’ve accomplished, but also for the courage I was already showing everyday that finally got some recognition. It took doing bigger things to bring the daily things to light.
Where were you courageous today?
According to Oxford dictionary, the word courage traces back to the Latin word cor – the same word for heart. Wikipedia says courage is “the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation”. If I can go out on a limb to combine Oxford and Wikipedia – you could say that courage is “the choice and willingness to confront the uncomfortable with heart”. Yes, there are varying degrees and deciding to make a big career change will feel different than deciding to get a new haircut – but both take courage, both take heart and both are a choice to keep striving for your genius, to keep growing, and to keep inspiring.
I have had a lot of courageous women in my life that have set an example for me. My grandmother, single mom to five kids for many years, would take off in the summer with all the kids and just enough money to last until she got a job to make sure her kids saw something new. My mom who took care of both my dad and my grandmother when they were dying and who takes care of everyone around her today -whether they know they need it or not. A friend who stayed in her marriage through a really tough time when it would have been easier to leave, another who stopped drinking when she recognized the pain it was causing those around her. And so many others that I’ve either known or observed throughout my life. Who are the courageous women in your life? How are you setting an example of courage for others?
Start looking at your day through the lens of courage and acknowledge yourself for what you do daily. Did you volunteer for a new project or put in for a promotion? Did you go out on a blind date or reach out to a friend who had been out of touch? Did you show up for life on a day when it was tough to just get out of bed? Recognizing and acknowledging yourself for the daily demonstrations of courage help build the reserves you need for the bigger acts. And if we’re being honest, some of the daily actions can be just as challenging. Giving yourself credit for showing up in a situation you’d rather avoid can be the first step in believing that you can show up for so much more.
As you take some time to acknowledge your courage, remember it isn’t the size or intensity of the act, it is that you made the choice, acted with heart, and showed a willingness to succeed or fail that matters most.
Where will you be courageous today?
