Courage Reflection

A short reflection on Courage based on the "Finding Your Happy, the 16 Guidelines for life" program. Living beings are caught up in a constant process of change, and ignoring this basic truth traps us in illusion. We know intellectually that things will change, yet we try to ignore the fact. Change can be scary. What will the future hold? Will it be better or worse, easier or harder, sad or happy? Yet a life without change is devoid of opportunity and hope. We would be stuck just as we are, without the opportunity to grow or develop. If we can make wise decisions about how to spend our time and energy, change is something to be welcomed and embraced. There is infinite potential in every moment - and it is up to us whether we choose to grasp it.

Transcript

The person with a chronic illness who laughs and smiles with her carers.

The single parent taking on the challenge of bringing up a child alone.

A teenager who stands her ground and refuses to be bullied or intimidated.

The examples are endless.

Although courage can sometimes be dramatic and arresting,

It is essentially and more often a private inner process of looking into the face of fear and difficulty.

When we are no longer able to change a situation,

We are challenged to change ourselves,

Wrote Viktor Frankl of his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp,

Where he mastered the ability to learn and grow from even the most extreme suffering.

Take a long deep breath and turn your awareness inwards.

Definitely bring to mind a challenge or difficulty that is facing you at this moment.

And when you do this exercise for the first time,

It's best to select a challenge of medium rather than extreme intensity.

Imagine that this challenge is located somewhere in your body.

Where is it?

And what does it look like?

Does it have a particular color,

Shape or personality?

Is it inviting you to understand something?

And if so,

Are you able to explore that?

Finally,

Can you shift your thinking and be willing to accept or even welcome this challenge or difficulty into your life?

If you are irritated by every rub,

How will you be polished,

Wrote the poet Rumi.

With practice,

The challenges,

Difficulties and even the failures that we encounter can in turn become our most helpful friends and companions.

Reviews

Very good way to start the day. Thank you!

Excellent content. My playback kept stopping and starting, but that could well be due to the poor signal we receive here. That you for sharing your thoughts on this important topic. I see the light in you. 🤲❤️🤲