The Value of Life

CHURCHILL once said, “Success is never final, and failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts!”

I have been learning to understand and adapt courage in my life. All my life I have had this one question; “What is courage?”

I am focused on one vital aspect of life leadership, asking my friends and doing some reading. I’ve been working hard with courage in my own life too.

Courage. What is it? Is it a thing?

The dictionary states that ‘courage’ is a noun. But can we hold it, touch it, carry it, and see it? The answer is no.

After searching all over for answers, here’s what I believe what courage is: In French, courage means “heart and spirit.” Great leaders throughout history have acted from their hearts, but the definition of courage has been narrowed to simple heroics.

Courage means a lot more, and is the main key for each one of us. According to Aristotle, courage is the first human virtue because it makes all the others virtues possible.

It is important for us to know that lift does not give us courage. Life gives us opportunities to practice the actions needed to accumulate courage. Courage hold no prejudice for those who try to do their best, even in their weakest moments.

I believe that courage is an open door to the lessons need to meet life’s expectations.

It is though our choice to execute the will to open and enter the doors of courage that we get what we deserve; more courage, a better life and the greatest of opportunities we will have.

It is sad to know that many people find courage in some of the most unfamiliar places. I have personally know people who found courage in an alcohol bottle, at the end of a cigarette stick or when using drug.

These are short-lived engagements of limited levels of courage. This courage is absent when the devices, tools or other people are unavailable for support. The courage that lasts is called real courage.

Real courage is one that can be earned through quality effort, will, integrity and action. No other people can give us this kind of courage.

We are the only ones who can engage long-lasting and self-sustaining real courage into our lives.

We must believe that courage is a teachable skill as well as one that can be learned, and that almost everyone can be courageous.

Building our real courage and advancing professionally are similar to climbing a 10-foot ladder. The first step can be low and wide, and each consecutive step takes you higher and the ladder get narrower. The ascent get shakier as the steps taper on the top of the ladder/

In addition to being the most important human virtue, courage is the most important business virtue as well. My perception is that a person with a real courage is one who dares to be honest with his or her feelings and abilities. For example, learning how to use a new software programme might generate anxiety or ineptness.

A courageous person would say: “I am in over my head and I need assistance to guide me through this transition.”

Revealing vulnerability is a characteristic of someone who possess courage. To me courageous people do not give up easily, especially when it comes to opinions and judgments they fell are right even challenged. They are not close-minded.

Rather, they leave conformity and safety behind to offer opinions and solutions. They know that career advancement is worth the time and sacrifices made.

As it takes courage to attend evening classes for a degree or give up vacation time to focus on their real passion, people with courage state their goals and then work to find ways to achieve them. They develop new models when the old ones don’t work.

They move forward and upward, never quit, and take risks to reinvent themselves. Their drive for constant learning help build their courage and achieve success.

From an early age, I have a great fear snakes. What did I do about it? I went on to hold a snake when I was 26 years old!

I believe that fear in an invitation to courage. Over a long period of time, I was able to dominate my fear of snakes instead of letting it dominate me. Though I remain afraid of snakes, I was able to overcome my fear just enough to hold one.

When I was young, I had no confidence to stand on stage. However, with the change that I’ve made and the courage that I hold within myself, I went up and I kept riding on a chance to given by my teachers.

I succeeded in conquering my fear and that led me to where I am today. I commit and persevered with great courage to move forward.

Perhaps it is time for us to think of a recent time or experience when courage was not called upon… when we didn’t act decisively. Think about how the outcome could have been if you acted with courage.

Let us recall a specific moment in our working life when and where we were proud of ourselves. Maybe we finally conquered the fear in a delivering a speech in front of a big crowd. Perhaps you committed to learning a new skill that benefited your career. Relive that experience and determine the specific behavior that made all the difference.

We must believe that if we have introduced real courage into our life, none of its expectations or limitations will hold any bearing or control on our lives. Let us restate our intent to claim our courage. Write it down and keep asking: “Am I acting courageously?”

Something to remember: A bright and shining vision has value only when we have the courage to follow it. Remember who we are, where we come from and real value of what we have to offer. Then step forwards, with renewed real courage and sincere commitment and make it real. That is real courage.