Courage

It never ceases to amaze me the way in which real courage manifests itself.  No, I'm not talking about the latest Stallone hack movie or even the exploits of our local firemen although I do salute their services on behalf of a grateful community (Stallone excluded).  No I'm talking about the every day examples of courage that is personified by the actions of mere mortals such as you.  Unlike Hollywood's definition, courage, like miracles, are usually subtle but no less magnificent.   

So what is courage?  Courage is nothing more than a decision.  It's a moment in time where you decide to take action.  It's a jumping off point from which all things are possible.  It only takes physical and mental strength and a little perseverance to climb a mountain, compete in a triathlon, work towards a degree, raise a family, or care for the sick and elderly. But it takes courage, real courage, to DECIDE to do all these things.  The hardest part of any venture is the decision to actually do it.  The doing part is just a mere formality that is played out after the hard part has been concluded.   

But let's be clear about something.  Courage doesn't guarantee you'll win. It doesn't even mean you'll perform well.  It makes no assumptions about your strengths or abilities.  What it means is that you chose to do something.  Something outside your comfort zone.  Something slightly beyond your reach and usually against your natural instincts for self preservation and your fear of failure.  You see the task at hand and you realize that what lays before you needs to be done, it MUST be done.  And somewhere deep in your sub conscience you know that not taking on this task would cause greater pain than the possibility of failure at the task. 

Just remember you don't need to be strong.  You don't need to be exceptionally smart or have mad skills.  And most certainly you don't need to be free of fear.  In order to have and to exercise courage you only have to decide and that's really the hard part.  From that point on ALL things are possible.  All the power you need is already within you.