Courage is doing the hard thing that you know in your heart you need to do. It’s being the lone voice in a fire pit of aggressive voices — encouraging them to tone it down. It’s standing up for those unable to stand up for themselves; speaking your voice calmly, even when others radically disagree; and daring to step out in a new way, even when every fiber of your being is shaking at the thought of it.
We can all use courage. Too often we shrink to aggression, condone toxic reactions and stay silent to avoid vengefulness. We can walk on eggshells around our lovers, placate our bosses and, yes, our loved ones when all we really want to do is say, “No!” We need to find courage to say no.
Courage is a necessary component of healthy relationships—and one far too often in short supply. We will benefit from increasing the supply.
When we begin to share our differing opinions, stand up for those being treated poorly and go after what we want, we build our courage. When we choose path B even though path A was easier—we build our courage. When we stop tip-toeing around the bullies, stop avoiding difficult conversations and stop going along to get along—we build our courage. When we listen to the “other” side even though all our friends are attacking it—we build our courage. When we stand firm and grounded in our principles without attacking the principles of others—we build our courage. When we dare to say no—even when it seems as if “everyone is doing it”— we build our courage. And, finally, when we look at our own actions with a humble heart and own our mistakes so we can stop unconsciously repeating them—we build our courage.
Challenge: Dare to build your courage. Do the brave thing you know in your heart you need to do. And then do it again and again and again. Each day, consciously choose a brave act, no matter how small — and build your courage.