I was part of a WhatsApp group aptly named,’ The Knowledge seekers.’ We were a group of women who want to learn more and of course for that to happen, we have to read more. So we each had to read a book or two a month and then write a book review. This kept us accountable and believe me, the team leader, my very good friend, Aggie does not joke on this. We shared whatever books we had so we could have a plethora.
One Sunday Morning, another member asked if we had a particular book and none of us had it. And Aggie to true form said,” When I badly want a book, I just write to the author.” We were like,wwwaatttt??!!! Seriously! And she said that she was liberated by a quote from Oprah Winfrey. The same below quote.
“You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.”
Oprah Winfrey
That really got me thinking. We talk about courage and boldness and bravery but what is that? Like truly, what is it? According to dictionary.com, courage or bravery or valour refers to qualities of spirit and conduct. It is also strength in face of pain or grief. The ability to do something that frightens one. And then this one- the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger or pain without fear.
I would be remiss to not add in Nelson Mandela’s quote,” I have learnt 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.”
That says it all. It is not doing something because we have no fear but doing it in spite of fear. We all have something that we fear doing. I know that I do. There is something that I must do. I am still afraid. One day I will be able to share it here. I can even imagine what you are saying-” Just bite the bullet! Tell us!! Hahaha! I am not going to do so as yet. It is a journey. I am also on that journey but not to worry, I will get there.
As I was researching about courage, I came across a blog, Bookshelf that highlights another blog,’ Lion’s Whiskers’ by Dr Lisa Dungate, a family therapist and Jennifer Armstrong, an award-winning author of historical fiction for children and teens that shares compelling stories and insights to help parents and their children to develop the courage to meet the many challenges that life presents. They gave six, yes six classifications of courage:
- Physical courage- when faced with bodily harm or death. This develops resiliency and physical strength.
- Social courage- risk of social embarrassment or rejection. It involves leadership.
- Intellectual courage- willingness to engage with challenging ideas, question our thinking. It means discerning and telling the truth.
- Moral courage- doing the right thing in spite of shame or disapproval of others. It relates to ethics and integrity, who we reveal ourselves to be through our words and actions.
- Emotional courage- opening ourselves to feeling the full spectrum of emotions be it positive or negative. It’s correlated to happiness.
- Spiritual courage- It fortifies us when grappling with questions about faith, purpose and meaning.
These stories of courage are multifaceted and is what the world needs in light of everything that is happening with role models who spit in the face of such courage. These are stories according to Bookshelf,that should be passed from generation to generation.
“Everybody’s been there, Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy Fallen for the fear, And done some disappearing, Bow down to the mighty Don’t run, Stop holding your tongue Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live Maybe one of these days, you can let the light in And show me, how big your brave is.”
Brave~ Sara Bareilles
Courage- A Journey
We have all been in such a position where we have to choose courage in spite of fear. They may have been big things or little things but they all meant something to us and it was a step in the right direction. I hope, no I pray that as we journey through life, we always tap into courage and find the strength to do the things that need to be done in spite of the fear. It is a journey, a courage journey. I do have a courage journey.Read it here
In doing so, our stories of courage and bravery will touch one person or a number of persons throughout the generations and maybe give them permission to also do the same and be brave and courageous. Because that’s who we are. This is me!
Lovelies, share with us where you have been courageous or want to be courageous. Head on over to the comments section
#ThisisMe
#BeAuthenticallyYou
#MyStoryMyBrand
I love this. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Doing a happy dance. Haha
Courage, not letting fear stop you!
Thanks for sharing.
You’re most welcome and thank you for reading
we live life a courage journey… every single time I press publish on the blog I am always wondering, if its ok to share
~B
Wait!! you mean thats a thing?? I thought it was only me going through that every time. Good to know I ain’t alone. Indeed its living a courage journey. Thanks for passing by
Powerful post!
Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you and thank you so much for reading