Ponderings (April 2008) - “COURAGE”

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary …

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

Sharing my thoughts …

Have you ever surprised yourself with courage that you didn’t know you had?  Or have you ever been inspired by witnessing courage in others?  I had the good fortune to see courage in action last week when my 13 year old son gave a speech to a group of over 150 adults.  On the drive to the event he was nervous but he faced his fear and stood up confidently in front of the crowd and clearly and succinctly delivered his speech, using nothing more than a note card.  He was courageous!  Afterwards, he felt confident, strong and proud that he did it even though he was scared beforehand.  His courage affected others as well as was evident by the number of positive comments he received.  I was inspired by his courage --- and, of course, a very proud mama!  I believe courage affects all of us in a powerful way.  What has been your experience of courage?

Questions to ponder …

1. How do you feel after you’ve been courageous? 
2. How do you instill courage in those closest to you?
3. What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
4. How do you find the courage to handle difficult situations?
5. How do you feel when fear has kept you from taking action?
6. What is currently going on in your life that requires courage?
7. How do you feel when you are around someone who is courageous?
8. Who is the most courageous person you know?  What makes him/her courageous?
9. Where and how are you courageous in your professional life?  In your personal life?
10. Are you satisfied with your level of courage?  If not, what will you do to change this?

Related quotes …

You don’t develop courage by being happy in your relationships every day.  You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.  [Epicurus]

You will never do anything in this world without courage.  It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.  [Aristotle]

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.  [Mark Twain]

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.  [Winston Churchill]

Promise me you’ll always remember:  You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.  [Christopher Robin to Pooh / AA Milne]