Tag Archives: Courage

“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”

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“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”

—Seneca the Younger, ancient Roman philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

In the past, I had a much different view of the word courage. I reserved it for men and women in uniform, explorers, famous leaders, and of course, superheroes.

Today, with a bit more awareness, compassion, and empathy, I see countless acts of courage in almost everyone I meet and get to know.

Examining the big and little challenges people face on a daily basis, I am amazed that so many have the resolve to get up and get going even with the heavy burdens they bear.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world do you observe quiet—and often hidden—acts of courage?

How and in what ways can your offer support to lighten the loads of others in your communities?

Lest We Forget

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The September 11, 2001 attacks—commonly known as 9/11—were four coordinated Islamist suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States. Here are some quotes for your consideration on this important date.

Image from Unsplash byAidan Bartos

“If September 11th has taught us anything, it’s certainly that the world has never been so interdependent. It is impossible to be an island of prosperity in a sea of despair.”
—Bono, Singer and activist

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”
—Dandy Dahl, wife of United flight 93 pilot, Jason Dahl

“For me and my family personally, September 11th was a reminder that life is fleeting, impermanent, and uncertain. Therefore, we must make use of every moment and nurture it with affection, tenderness, beauty, creativity, and laughter.”
—Deepak Chopra, Author

“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”
—Former President Barack Obama

EXERCISE:

How will you honor this date? What kindnesses and acts of service can and will you offer in the spirit of unity today?

Take your own yellow brick road

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Take your own yellow brick road and meet your own inner wizard.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by freddie marriage

I can vividly remember watching The Wizard of Oz as a child. Year after year we viewed the same story and were always left with an uplifted and heartwarming feeling.

As an adult, the story has become even more relevant. Using our heads, hearts, and courage to pursue our passions and purpose makes life even more wonderful.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways are you following your own yellow brick road? In what ways are you already the wise wizard to guide you along this path?

Courage gives us a voice and compassion gives us an ear

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“Courage gives us a voice and compassion gives us an ear. Without both there is no opportunity for empathy and connection.”

—Brené Brown, American research professor, lecturer, and author

The subtitle of my book, The Quotable Coach, is Daily Nuggets of Practical Wisdom. For these times, Brené Brown’s quote really resonates.

Where are you and others demonstrating the courage to voice your values and beliefs?

How compassionately are you opening your heart and ears to the challenges and difficulties of others in your various communities?

EXERCISE:

Where do you see the need for empathy and compassion?

How can and will you demonstrate more courage and compassion to generously serve and support our world with all its needs?

We can choose to be courageous whether we are ready or not

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We can choose to be courageous whether we are ready or not.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Freeclassicimages.com

Today’s thought reminds me of Hugh Laurie’s quote, “There is no such thing as ready. There is only now.”

How much of the time do you find yourself in a state of preparation before you shoot, ship, or act? When we wait to actually feel ready and 100% confident on our success, we are probably too late.

We recently saw and enjoyed the new Elvis movie. I was surprised to learn about how nervous and fearful Elvis was before getting on stage to shake things up in his unique and controversial style.

EXERCISE:

In what parts of your life are you waiting to be ready?

Where is it time to shake things up?

How would choosing to be more courageous help you realize more of your full potential?

It may be Now or Never.

Daring to set boundaries is having the courage to love ourselves

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“Daring to set boundaries is having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others.”

—Brene Brown

Image from Unsplash by Ralph Katieb

Over the past couple of years, I’ve become increasingly aware of various types of boundaries that people apply and often cross in our day-to-day activities.

Consider how Covid-19 has shaped our lives with social distancing, the use of masks, and a wide variety of other approaches to stay safe.

Before the pandemic and especially today, most of us have a sense of personal boundaries regarding our own bubble of comfort when at social gatherings. We can all feel the awkwardness and discomfort when someone entered our “no fly zone.”

EXERCISE:

Where in your life have others crossed the line and breached the walls of your well-being?

How can and will you find the courage to protect and love yourself when this may disappoint others in your various communities?

“I would like to die on Mars, just not on impact.”

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“I would like to die on Mars, just not on impact.”

—Elon Musk, CEO, at Tesla and at SpaceX

Image from Unsplash by Nicolas Lobos

Elon Musk probably lives by the credo “No Risk, No Reward.” He has clearly pushed the boundaries of entrepreneurship to their limits, and in many cases, come out on top. Although financial success is used on many occasions to demonstrate achievement, Musk’s shoot-for-the stars approach almost always focuses on making a difference and leaving a contributing dent in the universe.

Clearly venturing into space safely and reaching the red planet in one piece is pretty high on his list.

Exercise:

What impact do you wish to make with your personal and professional life? How can you more courageously go where you’ve never been before to explore and reach new levels of your potential?

The glass ceiling doesn’t apply when you’re building your own house

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“The glass ceiling doesn’t apply when you’re building your own house.”

—Heidi Roizen, American Venture Capitalist and Entrepreneur

Image from Unsplash by Kyle Brinker

Did you know that if you place a bunch of fleas in a jar with a glass lid they will eventually stop trying to jump out even if you remove the lid?

Glass ceilings — and ceilings in general — seem to be a fact of life where the world and even we, ourselves, place limits on how high and how far we can soar.

What do some of these limitations sound like when you hear them from family members, friends, colleagues and even your own inner voice?

In recent years, people have pursued their own personal and professional paths, cleared of many of these ceilings, letting new horizons and sunnier futures of their own creation occur.

EXERCISE:

Where in your worlds are you limited by glass ceilings?

How can you courageously break through these barriers to have a custom-made house, built just for you?

“How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them!”

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“How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them!”

—Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States

Image from Unsplash by Adi Goldstein

We can all be a bit judgmental and critical from time to time. When things appear wrong with the world in general or specifically with others in our various communities, it is pretty easy to point the finger at the mistakes and shortcomings we observe.

It is natural to hold our observation up against our own beliefs and values and see those that do not align as bad and wrong.

Most of us, on the other hand, do not look at ourselves with a lens of complete objectivity to see our own shortcomings and faults as worthy of our best efforts to mend them.

EXERCISE:

The next time you point your finger in the direction of the faults of others, consider that there are three fingers in your palm pointing right back at you.

What is one fault that you are resolute to mend in the days and weeks ahead?