”Courage is the basic virtue for everyone so long as he continues to grow, to move ahead.” Rollo May
Fear limits a leader: Roman historian Tacticus wrote, “The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.” But courage has the opposite effect. It opens doors, and that’s one of its most beautiful benefits. Perhaps that is why British Theologian John Henry Newman said, “Fear not that your life will come to an end but that it will never have a beginning.” Courage not only gives you a good beginning, but it also provides a better future.
Courage is finding the inner strength and bravery required when confronting danger, difficulty or opposition. Courage is the energy current behind all great actions and the spark that ignites the initial steps of growth. It is the intangible force that propels you forward on your journey. What inspires you to action? For some it is a belief in a higher power, for some it can be an inspiring music and for others perhaps great literature or spiritual passages. Regardless of what your connection is to the divine source, for you will need to call upon it in those moments when you require courage.
There is a story related to the Old Testament tradition concerning the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. God has promised them liberation and freedom. Moses raises his arms and voice in prayer for God to lead his people to safety. Indeed, nothing happens until the first person actually steps in to the water and shows, through that simple act, that he has faith in God’s promise of salvation. When that first step of courage is taken, the sea parts, and the people cross over into freedom and liberation. Courage consists not in blindly overlooking danger, but in seeing and conquering it. Let the great personalities inspire us to have courage to face life as it comes.
