Courage is Your Contract
↩️UNFOLLOW University — January 27, 2023
A stroll down the Las Vegas Strip with kids - what could go wrong?
A few days ago I had the chance to listen to a lecture about courage from 3 of the world’s foremost experts on human psychology: my kids.
Here’s what they had to say:
“Courage is being strong and having faith. It’s from God’s love.”
“Courage is when you have to be brave even when something might be scary.”
“Courage is to have fear but to push through it.”
Clearly, their answers were better than mine at 4, 7 and 9 years old but they also point us to a radical truth.
🤯 Radical Truth
We are courage-crafted from the beginning.
Courage has been there all along - in you, for you, with you. From playpens and playgrounds to classrooms and conference rooms, it never left. We are born courageous, for to be born is itself a bold act of resistance.
I’ve spent the last year studying, speaking and writing about courage. There are many definitions of courage from many intelligent people but here my favorites.
Speaking from our hearts. Learning how to be brave and afraid at the exact same time. Brene Brown
Relevant acts done for a worthy cause despite significant risks perceivable in the moment. Jim Deteret
Knowing when to be daring and when to be cautious. David Brooks
Willingly facing hardship and danger. Ryan Holiday
An inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles. The power of life to affirm itself in spite of life’s ambiguities. (MLK)
The word “courage” comes from the Latin word for “heart” and it refers to inner-strength becoming outward actions. Here’s how I define courage:
Courage is the process of acting in love despite feelings of fear.
Courage is a contract - a decision to pay the price for acting on your beliefs before you know the cost.
Yes, there’s always a cost. Click here to read about a time I wish I was more courageous.
⚡️Courageous Question
In what ways am I working against the very change I want?
🗣 Wonderful Words
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.”
-Mark Twain
🙏🏽 Prayer Package
God, every day there are reasons to accept what seems unchangeable. Today, give me an opportunity to resist my own comfort so that someone else can be heard, seen or supported. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
🎵 Courageous by Common, PJ & Stevie Wonder
🛠 Practical Tool
UNFOLLOW Podcast
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday!
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Every Friday I’ll send you 5 courageous ideas to help you redesign your work life by making better career decisions:
🤯 Radical Truth - A story from me
⚡️ Courageous Question - A challenge for you
🗣 Wonderful Words - A quote worth remembering
🙏🏽 Prayer Package - A moment of meditation
🛠 Practical Tool - An actionable resource
