Redefining Courage

Courage, by definition is “the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.”

We systematically reward and admire people for their courage and reinforce the observed behavior with praise and pride. (And the pride we receive in exchange for these acts of courage is a great motivator and makes us feel seen).

Pride by definition is “a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.”

Brene Brown contends that vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage and asks the question “are we willing to show up and be seen when we can’t control the outcome?”

The question I’ve been asking is “are we willing to not be seen when we can?”

The definition of courage has been spoon fed to us since we were children. As parents, we have become avid “encouragers”, making it abundantly clear we place a very high value on confidence. So we’ve been taught to know what it looks like, that’s it’s measurable -that it can be seen .

I looked it up and it says that the word “encourage suggests the raising of one’s confidence especially by an external agency.”

I am discovering though, that often the things that have demanded the most courage; the things seem Goliath to us, by others standards wouldn’t rank as courageous at all.

Courage is personal. And I’m willing to bet that you are courageous everyday but don’t realize it or even deem it worthy of being recognized.

It is the bravest thing you can do to confront the things within yourself without the need to share with others and let it be enough that YOU KNOW you were courageous.

True courage is not attached to the associated badge of honor or praise doled out by others when you do it “good for you!” or by the victorious declaration you make on your social “I did it!” .

Courage is a spectrum. It is unique to our experience and as fluid as our experiences themselves. Like anything worth mastering, courage is a practice.

And so I invite you to encourage yourself to stretch and condition your inner knowing muscle so that you can appreciate and see how courageous you already are.

I’m Lisa Hopkins thanks for listening. Stay safe and healthy everyone and remember to live in the moment!

Listen to Audio Version here!

Published in Collaboration with:

Also by Lisa Hopkins:

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