I used to think courage was being able to sit through a horror flick without hiding under a jacket, asking a guy out, or giving a speech. All of which I failed miserably at. As a child, my mom used to buy me books and toys with a theme: A dog that said, “I’m lonely.” A mouse that said, “I’m shy.”
Okay I got it mom!
But as I got older, I realized that what I thought was courage, was far from what I thought it was. Yes, it took some guts and bravery to do the above. But real courage was strength.
The kind of courage I’m talking about is the one…
- that pushes you to say how you truly feel.
- that frees you to be yourself, not repressing your quirky parts out of fear from being rejected or your winning side so others won’t feel dim in your light.
- that lets you sit in the unknown in peace and quells the anxious voice.
- that gives you faith when nothing is going right and everything feels wrong.
Courage is sometimes the fierce lion, but often the determined mouse.
It’s not easy being courageous. But when we get to that mountaintop and feel the wind brushing our face, we will know that the only way to truly live is to be on the edge of comfort and walk toward our greatest fears with courage.
Are you living your life with courage or in fear?
