Quiet Courage

“Courage doesn’t always roar.”

Courage Doesn’t Always Roar.

I saw these words in four successive windows in downtown De Pere, Wisconsin as I walked on a beautiful Sunday morning last weekend. We were there visiting family. How true. Courage can be quiet or even silent. Courage often does require some sort of action. But then again, inaction could be the most courageous thing someone does to break a pattern, to set a boundary, to make better choices.

This is how Merriam-Webster defines courage:

mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

For some, the most dangerous thing they could do today is to pick up another drink or pill. Courage is stopping, reaching out to others for help, facing fears and finding faith that life can get better.

For others, what they fear most is being less than or not enough. Courage is looking in the mirror and smiling rather than at a screen, scrolling and comparing. When we truly see ourselves, we can start truly being ourselves. It takes courage to stop judging ourselves and everyone else.

And who doesn’t face difficulties? It may be as significant as physical limitations. Courage moves in the ways it can, but it needs our cooperation. Exercise the parts that work and they will help strengthen the rest of our body and mind.

Or maybe the difficulty is as insignificant as being annoyed by an unpleasant sound. Courage is venturing into letting go of control, training our minds to stay present and become amazed that we can even hear anything at all.

Courage isn’t always about hardening our resolve. Sometimes it is about softening our personal armor.

Courage is often painted as some large act in the face of looming threats. Yet, it is the little daily threats that truly need our consistent courage to carry us forward, to help us transform and grow. Threats to our resilience, self-awareness, ability to be open and loving.

Where do you need courage today? A “yes” needed after too many “nos.” A “no” needed after too many “yeses.” A step forward instead of standing still or stepping back?

Quiet courage. Apply some today.