Live Courageously

“You have power over your mind, not outside events; Realize this and you will find strength.”

Marcus Aurelius

Self-assurance is easy when you are pretty sure you know what’s around the corner.  That is why practice is so important.  The more you practice, the more prepared you will be.

However, when you step into the unknown your suddenly off your game.  If you don’t know what’s coming, you don’t know what to expect.  If you don’t know what to expect, you can’t prepare.  If you can’t prepare you are naturally fearful.

In times of uncertainty we need courage, but how can you be courageous when you don’t know what is coming?

Control What You Can

Like Marcus Aurelius says, “You have power over your mind….”.  This means you have power over the story you are telling yourself. 

If you tell yourself all is lost, then guess what?  It really feels like there is no hope.

I know as kid when I would have trouble sleeping or was frightened my Mom would always tell me to close my eyes and think of something fun, before I knew it I was usually out.

Control the narrative you tell yourself.

Face What Scares You

Like the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz, sometimes we need a little courage.  Remember when he finally makes it to Oz and the great wizard says, “…there is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger.  The true courage is facing danger when you are afraid….”

What is our typical reaction when we see someone boldly facing a crisis in their life? We usually say, “I don’t know how they do it, I wouldn’t handle it that well”

Sometimes it takes a crisis to reveal how courageous you can actually be.

Sometimes you have to look fear in the face to unlock your true courage.

How will you react?

Winston Churchill is attributed with saying, “Fear is a reaction, Courage is a decision.”  In times of uncertainty we can choose to be fearful or we can choose to be courageous.  To many times in my life I have chosen to be fearful. 

Why?

It’s easy to be fearful. 

Fear is a reflex. It is hard to short circuit a reflex, but not impossible.  It does requires a concentrated effort on our part and that is hard.

Fear will happen regardless.  Courage requires action.

Choose Courage

In uncertain times choose courage.  Choose to be brave and face each day with hope.  Even in times when it seems like everyone is fearful, model courage. 

Don’t add to the fear state.

Live Immediately

Live courageously.