When we think of “being courageous,” we tend to think of the social expressions of courage. From small acts to big, we think being courageous is something that happens in the context of other people.
The courage to present to an audience. The courage to jump in an help during a catastrophe. The courage to speak up in a group. The courage to say, “no,” when we don’t want something. All examples of being courageous in the context of interactions with others.
But, there is an inner courage, too.
The courage to set a personal goal of some sort and commit ourselves to working towards it. The courage to try something new. The courage to be ok with an outcome that’s less than perfect. The courage to hope for something that’s better tomorrow than today.
We tend to think of these internal and personal expressions of courage as being smaller or less than the more heroic and inspiring social acts of courage.
It turns out, though, that all behaviors and external expressions of courage that inspire us so start with inner courage and conversations with ourselves. We must tap into our inner courage to start, to try, to believe, to commit. Only then will anything we do or say be viewed as courageous by others.
We talk a lot about “finding the courage.”
Courage doesn’t need to be found. It’s present in each of us already.
We simply need to learn how to talk with it better.
