Even in the picture of a row boat in calm water there is uncertainty...would you get in that boat and row away from shore? When you travel into uncertainty what do you do to engage your courage?
Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. (Wikipedia)
"For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again."
- Eric Roth, an American screenwriter
I love this quote, it reminds me that each day I have a choice in how I live my life and with courage I can start again.
Are you interested in exploring your courage and applying it to a current challenge? If so, here is a great exercise by Melanie Greenberg Ph.D.:
Beginning with the definition of courage, "Feeling Afraid Yet Choosing to Act."
Think of a situation as an adult when you felt afraid, yet chose to face your fear.
Now answer the following questions:
What did you observe, think, and feel at the time? (e.g., "I saw the roller coaster and felt butterflies in my stomach").
What did you or the people around you say, think, and do to help you face your fear? (e.g., "I told myself that if little kids could go on it, so could I").
At what point did your fear start to go down? How did you feel afterwards?
Now think back on a situation in childhood in which you faced your fear. How was it the same or different than the first situation?
Finally, think of a situation you are currently facing that creates fear or anxiety. What are you most afraid of? (e.g., being fired if I ask my boss for a raise).
Now, is there a way to apply the same skills you used in the two earlier situations to be more courageous this situation. Remind yourself that you have these skills and have used them successfully in the past. What mental or environmental barriers stand in the way of using these skills? How can you cope with or get rid of these barriers?