Recently I’ve been considering this thought. I write a lot about courage as I have lived through many times in my life that required it. And getting back up required determination.
I don’t know about you, but I do not like discomfort in any way shape or form. Do you? Having courage and being comfortable rarely coexist. Simply getting off the couch for some can require courage. It entails doing something. Now don’t misunderstand. I enjoy kicking back, listening to music, watching a movie, hanging out with friends as many people do.
But let’s talk about courage in a tough situation. In recent years, I went through a very difficult divorce. Within a 12 month period that year I experienced significant loss including the divorce, two beloved pets, a house, income and some health issues that no doubt were magnified by the trauma and stress. I don’t tell you this to garner sympathy but to express what I dealt with to give you an example of courage.
Going through this period of time, I was in shock repeatedly in addition to finding it difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel. Now most of the time, there was light at the end of my tunnel but it looked like a train heading right for me. I was constantly uncomfortable.
Many friends were there to help me keep my head on straight or at least they tried. How did I embrace courage through this time that was like nothing I had crawled through in my life? First, I did not feel courageous during this time. So often it was all I could do to get up in the mornings. It seemed as if I was living out a nightmare that I was unable to wake up from.
My courage manifested by way of putting one foot in front of the other. Baby steps as they say. I was in the middle of the divorce, having to find somewhere to live and taking care of my one sweet kitty who was stronger and more resilient than I was. He was one reason I could gird up my loins to press on.
Courage looks different to everyone and in every situation. It is not often a big dramatic gesture and look at me world how brave I am. More often than not it looks like a little action of getting up, taking one little positive action and potential solution. Courage can look and feel like walking on broken glass, dodging bullets or walking through hell itself.
Be encouraged on your journey. There is a light at the end of the tunnel that is not a speeding train, but a glimmer of hope heading your way. Find that one thing that you can believe in and start with believing in you.
