Be a Little More Courageous Every Single Day to Create and Live Your Life
“Every day courage has few witnesses. But yours is no less noble because no drum beats for you and no crowds shout your name” …………………. Robert Louis Stevenson
This blog provides some useful insights about courage, often referred as a “Great Force”. Courage isn’t just about doing things to earn external approval, but rather it’s an essential quality that should be integrated into our daily lives. It empowers us to face inevitable challenges with grace and to pursue our dreams vigorously.
Courage isn’t limited to extraordinary deeds; it should become a part of our routine as we deal with the everyday matters that come our way. To truly understand courage, we must draw inspiration from within ourselves. This internal wellspring of courage enables us to overcome our fears, insecurities, obstacles, and setbacks. In fact, courage is the force capable of sorting out the chaos in our lives, which often originates from internal struggles and is exacerbated by external negativity.
Life often presents us with battles that we must face on our own. It requires courage to confront the internal turmoil and dilemmas in order to conquer the monsters and attain lasting peace and happiness. Personally, I’ve gone through and experienced many challenging situations, and I believe that my courage has been the key to handling those unwanted fears, uncertainties, challenges, and significant losses I’ve faced. When confronted with difficulties, we can find solace in knowing that, in addition to courage, we are supported by a higher power. God’s love and courage are bestowed upon us in difficult times, but it’s up to us to listen and heed His guidance. When we trust our instincts and inner voice, we can undergo a transformative experience that shapes our future path.
Life is unpredictable, filled with ups and downs, fears of the unknown, dilemmas, failures, broken relationships, and shattered dreams. As we encounter these unpredictable situations, we often feel frightened, confused, and ill equipped to handle the overwhelming emotions that arise. Life may push us out of our comfort zones to transform ourselves for the better, attracting success, happiness, and serenity. Courage is the essential ingredient that equips us with the ability and competence needed to achieve our aspirations. It empowers us to tackle the difficulty, scary, and uncertain aspects of life.
Positive Psychology of Courage
Related to courage and positive psychology from famous psychologists, here are 10 quotes and brief analysis about courage or being courageous.
1. “Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength”.
Sigmund Freud recognized that ‘confronting’ our inner demons and vulnerabilities can lead to personal growth and courage. He also acknowledged the importance of courage in ‘resolving’ inner conflicts and traumas. He concluded that courage was essential for psychological healing and personal growth. His work with patients demonstrated that those who confronted their fears and vulnerabilities with courage often found a path to better mental health. It is therefore, proven in the realm of positive psychology that acknowledging one’s weakness is a crucial step towards self-improvement.
2. “What a man can be, he must be.”
Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs emphasizes ‘self-actualization’, where individuals strive to reach their fullest potential. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to pursue their unique potential and self-actualize were more likely to achieve personal success and fulfillment. Courage was vital for breaking free from conformity and realizing one’s true self. This pursuit of personal growth requires courage to overcome obstacles and self-doubt.
3. “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”.
Carl Rogers’ persona-centered therapy highlights the importance of ‘self-acceptance’ and the courage to be ‘one’s authentic-self’. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to embrace their true feelings and experiences would find greater psychological well-being and success in their personal lives and relationships. It signifies that courage comes from embracing your current state and using it as a foundation for positive change.
4. “Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting response that follows from the belief that whatever you do doesn’t matter.”
Martin Seligman’s work on learned helplessness suggests that people can become trapped in a cycle of negativity. However, in his remarkable work around positive psychology, he also highlighted the role of optimism and courage in overcoming adversity. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to maintain the optimistic outlook and take positive actions, even in the face of setbacks and traumas, were more likely to achieve success and well-being.
5. “Positivity opens us. It broadens our minds and builds our resourcefulness”.
Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions highlights how positive thinking can fuel courage by expanding one’s mindset and abilities for future success. She concluded that experiencing and expressing courage could lead to personal growth and expended possibilities in various life domains.
6. “People who believe they have the power to exercise some measure of control over their lives are healthier, more effective, and more successful.”
Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory emphasizes the importance of courage in believing the one’s abilities to achieve goals. He concluded that individuals with high self-efficiency, who had the courage to take on challenges and persist in the face of setbacks, were more likely to attain success. It is therefore, affirmed that having the courage to take control of your life is closely linked to self-efficiency and to achieve goals.
7. “Courage is like a muscle; it is strengthened by use”.
Karen Horney recognized that courage can be developed and strengthened through practice and psychotherapy. She concluded that individuals who had the courage to confront and work through their fears and anxieties would experience psychological growth and greater emotional well-being. Hence, this is one of the recommended techniques in Positive psychology that encourages individuals to exercise their courage regularly.
8. “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times… the best moments usually occur when a person’s body and mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow encourages us to embrace challenges and find courage in pushing our limits. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to immerse themselves in flow-inducing activities often experienced heightened creativity and success.
9. “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Viktor Frankl’s experiences in the Holocaust led him to believe in the transformative power of courage and inner strength during the difficult times. He concluded that individuals could find meaning and success in even the most challenging circumstances by having the courage to confront suffering and choose their responses.
10. “The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.”
Rollo May statement underscores the need for courage to step away from the crowd, think independently, and purpose one’s own path in life. He also realized courage as essential for breaking free from conformity and embracing one’s authentic self. He concluded that individuals who had the courage to take unique and non-conformist paths in life were more likely to find personal fulfillment and success.
Take Away
Many among us, might have been facing such type of situations, these insights from famous psychologist can offer inspiration and guidance. Remember that courage often arises from acknowledging your vulnerabilities, embracing change, and striving for self-improvement, even in the face of obstacles. This can be a valuable mindset to adopt as you navigate your challenges.
In summary, these psychologists recognized the significance of courage in various aspects of mental health, personal growth, and success. They concluded that courage was a driving force in overcoming obstacles, embracing one’s true self, and achieving both psychological well-being and personal fulfillment. Also, we must remember that courage is not a rare trait reserved for a select few; it resides within all of us, waiting to be discovered, especially during challenging and uncertain times in our life’s journey. A moment of courage can change our day and, ultimately, our entire lives for the better.
