Courage is something that we all have but we don't always use. I define courage as the capacity to take action in the face of self-doubt, fear, hesitation, uncertainty or overthinking. Conquering fear is about wisdom, understanding your strengths and believing in yourself, and self-awareness. Fortunately, these are traits that can be cultivated and practiced. Being courageous does not mean that you shouldn’t be scared of imminent danger, it is about doing what you love doing, enjoying deep and meaningful relationships without self-imposed limits, letting go of wounds and constant worry about what other people think of you. What is stopping you from using your courage?
Fear is entrenched in our emotional life and it shows up every day. Naturally, our minds are designed to let fear in. However, we should not let fear take control or define our lives. There are a number of things that can prevent you from doing something even if you have the courage to do it. Here are some of the things:
The fear of the unknown
You might feel like you can do something and even have the ability to do that thing, but what prevents you from doing that thing is the fear of the unknown. You keep on asking yourself, what if I do this and I fail? What will be the outcome of my actions? These are some of the things that might stop you from doing something even if you are courageous enough to do it.
Lack of self-esteem
Self-esteem builds courage and eliminates self-doubt. It enables you to understand what you can do and what you cannot do. Self-esteem cultivates confidence and if you are a confident person you can deal with any sort of issue or do something without too much fear. It should be understood that we are all hear to learn and no one knows everything. Self-confidence enables you to be open-minded and to learn things easily.
Inability to take action
You might have courage but lack the ability to take action. Certain situations call for not just courage but your ability to do that particular thing. Courage and ability to do something go hand in hand and complement each other. For example, you can have the courage to try out something new but you do not have the ability or resources to do that particular thing.
Not all fears are equal. Some can be useful while others are useless that you should do away
with. Do not let fear take control of your life by learning how to use your courage.
