My dad taught me about courage from the earliest age I can remember.
He taught me that courage is not a tough guy who feels no fear. It’s the strength of a man who knows his purpose and his mission are more important than whatever he fears.
If your courage is weak, he’d tell me, you won’t do what is necessary. You’ll tell yourself that because you’re afraid, you shouldn’t do it. You’ll let fear of something real or imagined convince you to give less than your best.
Throughout your life, you have chances to do extraordinary things and be an extraordinary person, but most of it is scary for one reason or another. Without courage, you will not do those things or become that person.
But if your courage is strong, my dad would say, you’ll do what is necessary even when you’re afraid to do it.
He taught me that courage is only possible when I’m afraid, because I’m afraid. In those moments, it’s my responsibility to be aware of my fear but see beyond it. Not as much to good future outcomes, because those bring uncertainty, but to the principles I value more than what I fear.
A belief, virtue, faith, trust, skill, desire, or conviction. It can be anything. Whatever moves me to do what’s necessary.
I can feel fear the entire time, and more than likely, I will. That’s ok. That’s why we build courage. Courage pushes us forward into action and carries us through. Through fear. Through discomfort. Through pain. Not around it, so we don’t feel it. We feel it all.
Fear tries to hold you back from that. Courage carries you through it.
Courage is remembering that fear is not the most important thing. The most important things in life are always greater than whatever you fear.
Thanks, Dad. I’m trying my best to live the courage you worked so hard to teach me. I love you and I miss you.
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