#5daysto40 – COURAGE

By November 30, 2018blog posts

As I reflect on the past 13 years I reflect on the stages of my own evolving consciousness that I have had to go through – sometimes once, sometimes over and over and some right now.  I hope what I have learned may help you.

 

COURAGE

The dictionary defines courage as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear”. Both Dictionary.com and the Meriam-Webster online dictionary list fearlessness as a synonym of courage. Thus, one not uncommon school of thought about courage in our culture is that it relates to the absence of fear.

To me courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. despite anxiety or fear. That is, if one does not experience anxiety or fear about doing something then it is easy to do and does not require courage or strength.

Courage is something that everybody wants — an attribute of good character that makes us worthy of respect. From the Bible to fairy tales; ancient myths to Hollywood movies, our culture is rich with exemplary tales of bravery and self-sacrifice for the greater good. From the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz who finds the courage to face the witch, to David battling Goliath in the Bible, to Star Wars and Harry Potter, children are raised on a diet of heroic and inspirational tales.

Yet courage is not just physical bravery. History books tell colorful tales of social activists, such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, who chose to speak out against injustice at great personal risk. Entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, who took financial risks to follow their dreams and innovate are like modern-day knights, exemplifying the rewards and public accolades that courage can bring.

If you’re currently plagued by general anxiety, negative thinking, or irrational emotional reactions to simple daily events – courage may indeed end up being your best friend.

Courage is the dividing line between succumbing to your fear, anxiety, and over-thinking…and taking action in spite of those things. The more conscious you allow yourself to become, the less of a struggle your basic day-to-day life is going to become.

Courage allows individuals to see the world as a treasure trove of opportunity. You realize you don’t need to be the victim of circumstance you once believed themselves to be. You understand that change starts with the individual, and anything you want to make happen is a direct result of conscious will, intent, action, and refinement of action. You will still recognize certain things as being risky, dangerous or scary but with courage you recognize these things as a response to your external environment. You see it for all that it truly is: just a stimulus – of which, you’re free to respond to in a variety of ways.

When you realize this, fear begins to shrink automatically. You find yourself within a new domain of personal power, you feel empowered rather than restricted no matter what the external world is offering you.

Just as it takes muscle to build muscle, we must exercise Courage as much as possible to build up our mental strength so that it becomes our default state of being. As long as you choose to avoid facing what you currently perceive to be difficult and uncomfortable, your fear and anxiety will increase.

The psychological barriers of the human condition can almost always be traced back to a sub optimal choice of perception within an individual’s consciousness. You have the power to choose to transcend your internal and external limitations by choosing to align yourself with virtues and experiences that liberate – rather than constrict – your personal freedoms.

Choose Courage, and watch as your world transforms from a prison of lost souls, into a playground for endless abundance, self-discovery, and growth.

 

Kevin T. Cahill is an award winning sales professional and consultant specializing in the art of managing change and achieving great results. As the founder of The Change Revolution, this international best selling author and speaker inspires men and women alike. As someone who has mastered the art of resilience and hope, Kevin’s philosophy as a clarity builder is strategic and results driven. Kevin’s passion is to equip individuals and organizations with a renewed sense of clarity and excitement, knowing that positive change will bring about positive gains. His exciting creation The Change Revolution offers a winning blueprint for navigating through change and achieving success.

Speaking inquiries email bookings@kevintcahill.com or call 519-836-7989.

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