Courage

This week has been all about freedom in the United States.   Freedom may have been the theme, but I was reminded how important the emotional strength of courage is to our freedom in some unusual ways.  The courage of those who protect our freedom is obvious.  What I had lost focus of was how much courage it takes  achieve life goals.  I read a passage by Jim Lockard:

“Courage is the capacity to override fear.  Courage is never present unless fear is also present.”

We usually say that fear stops us from achieving our goals.  I came out of this week with a different perspective.

It is not fear that stops us, but too little courage. 

Dr. Lockard went on to write, “Courage is the capacity to override fear where appropriate.”

Here is the real freedom for me and you. . .

Courage is one of the six core virtues that make up the 24 strengths in the VIA (Values in Action). Courage is part of the emotional strengths that give you the will to achieve your goals, especially in the face of adversity or opposition (that adversity can come from your own minds making or from some external force or happening).  The Courage Virtues are grouped as:  bravery, persistence, integrity, and vitality. I have one of those strengths, and I have the freedom to develop the others if I chose to do so.

The more courage you develop, the better able you are to overcome fear.  The VIA is free and so are you.  Use some of that extra free time you have to explore using some courage strengths to overcome any fear that may be stopping you from achieving the freedom you really desire.

For those of you who want tips on how to use courage in the workplace, get Bill Treasurer’s Courage Goes to Work. 

A special Thank You to designer and dear friend Jennifer Jones Schroeder for the great photo.  You are an authentic MasterCraft – and made in the USA!

Note:  VIA Courage information is taken from page 29 of Character Strengths and Virtues.