What Is Courage?

Courage is personal bravery in the face of fear.  It is doing what needs to be done even when it is really hard or scary.  Courage is going ahead even when you feel like giving up and quitting.  Sometimes courage means recognizing a danger and standing firm.  It doesn’t mean taking unnecessary chances just to look brave.

Courage is needed in trying new things, in facing difficult situations, and in picking yourself up after a mistake and trying again.  It is doing what you know is right, even if other people laugh at you or call you names.

Courage is a quality of the heart.  Courage comes from what you feel in your heart rather than just what you think.  It comes from knowing yourself and knowing down deep that you can and should do something.

Why Practice Courage?

Courage is the best thing you can have when you are scared or unsure.  There are times when you are not sure that you can do something.  You might feel alone, facing what seems to be an impossible situation.  Courage helps you do great things.

Without courage everyone would do what is easy.  No one would try new things that seem hard.  Everyone would do what everyone else is doing, to avoid standing out – even if they knew it was wrong.  Fear would be in charge.  People would avoid anything that seemed hard.

How Do You Practice It?

You do what you know is right even when it is hard or scary.  You face your mistakes with courage, learn from them, and keep trying.  You try new things, like learning to ride a bike, even if it feels like you’ll never learn.

You work to understand something which you are afraid of and decide if it is real or just imagined.  Remember that you can always ask for help when you need it. 

You stand up for what you know is right even if all you friends are doing something wrong.  You let courage fill your heart even if others laugh at you or call you names.

When you feel afraid, go ahead and feel your fear.  Name it, then, let it go.  Decide what is the wise and courageous thing to do.  Go ahead and do it even if you still feel afraid.

Signs of Success

Congratulations!  You are practicing courage when you…

• Do what you know is right even when it is hard or scary

• Admit mistakes and learn from them

•   Are willing to try new things

•  Find courage in your heart even if others laugh at you or call you names

•  Go ahead and do something you want to do even if you still feel afraid

• Avoid doing new things for fear of failing

• Pretend you’re not afraid

• Are afraid to admit your mistakes

• Do what everyone else does even if you know it is wrong

• Do the easy thing and not the right thing

• Think you can do everything yourself and not ask others for help when you need it