COURAGE

We experience real COURAGE when we Challenge Ourselves Utilize Resources And Get Empowered and this results in the triumph of our self belief over our inhibitions. Of course it is easier said than done partly because any form of courage requires us to overcome our fears but what impedes us most is our lack of self belief that by taking a courageous stand we can have some major bearing on the issues on hand. Another aspect that dampens our courage is our reluctance to commit ourselves and stay the course once we delve into it. Despite these obvious limitations we tend to display courage more often than we give credit to ourselves.

Broadly there are two types of courage we display – physical courage and moral courage. The former is more limited by our inability to confront the possibility of physical pain. The later thought is tougher because it involves making very conscious and possibly riskier choices with more damaging long term consequences. To understand this paradox we need to realize that we could have gone through both types of challenges to our courage when in school. Most times we wouldn’t mind taking on a bully or squaring up to a rough tackling opponent during the football matches but would be terrified of owning up to  the teacher when caught for some aberration like homework not being done or copying in an exam.

How does one become courageous? The answer lies partly in our upbringing, partly on our mental makeup but largely on our sense of fair play and justice. If one is brought up with a lot of freedom and acceptance and also encouraged to be daring without being a stupid risk taker chances are that one would be more forthcoming and decisive in ones thoughts and actions. Past experiences and a bit of genetics have an important bearing on our mental makeup, but it is possible that an independent thinking person will change for the better with time and determination. However it is the sense of fair play and justice that will ultimately have a major influence on the kind of courage we display. Maintaining balance is critical to display courage in the right measure. Being foolhardy and displaying stupid bravado is not courage and that is an important thought to be borne in mind.

So why is that we lack courage? At times we do experience the sharp pain of hurt, rejection, lack of understanding and loneliness when we embark on a courageous path. Often we find ourselves in a hopeless minority when we stand up for our principles or beliefs. The pain of isolation, the fleeting thought that maybe we are wrong, the overwhelming pressures brought on us by well meaning but perhaps misplaced views of the majority and the strain of furrowing a lonely path frighten us and we succumb to our inhibitions. Then there are threats to our limb an life which are too formidable to be ignored and too treacherous to be treated casually and the net result is that we give up our original courageous path.

Does this make us cowards? If we were to list out the times we have displayed our courage it would make for poor reading and the inference could be that we are cowards. The fault though is that we prune our list and do not list the daily acts of courage we display be it in simply being polite to a boorish person, standing up for our rights when palmed off with fault goods or being over charged, taking up for someone denied justice or simply exhibiting good sense when everyone is going berserk. These acts may not add up to much on the larger scale of courage as displayed by soldiers on the battle field or someone willing to face harassment and possibly being jailed for their own personal convictions. The real measure though is in displaying COURAGE continuously, consistently and courageously for then we Challenge Ourselves Utilize Resources And Get Empowered

Action Points:

1. Outline 3 situations in which you would have a very very tough time displaying personal courage. Also examine the possible reasons why you think you would not be able to exhibit your courage. 
2. Can you recollect 3 events / occasions in which you displayed personal courage. What was the feeling you experienced before, during and after the even happened?

 Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

PAIN

Plain Awareness of Intense Need is the message conveyed by PAIN.

When in pain, be it physical or psychological, the body and spirit screams for solace. It could be medicines or just companionship, empathy and acceptance that is needed but often quick relief is hard to come by. Occasionally pain cries out and seeks the need for rest, recuperation and relaxation, which are often at a premium for the upwardly mobile and success craving professionals.

While there are many cures for physical pain, a grieving heart, a lonesome being and an outcast have very few choices before them. Empathy, companionship and acceptance are the only cures and alas none of these can be bought over the counter. It is in these moments of an others pain that our character is tested to the full. Empathy is more than sympathy for the latter is feeling sorry for the other person while empathy refers to us feeling the pain of the other. Companionship demands that we be able to spare time and possibly our patience too particularly to be with the old, the sick and the infirm. Acceptance is unconditional love for another be it a leper, an AIDS patient or a destitute.

Sometimes the pain is never ending. Imagine the pain of deformed person, a victim of burn injuries, survivors of accidents and bomb blasts who have lost a limb etc. For them the reality has to be lived with and frequently they would fall into the trap of self pity. Self pity is nothing but self inflicted pain and the cure is positive thinking, acceptance of reality and a drive for achievement. They are motivated by their ability to be productive, their thankfulness for the gift of life and reinforcement of their self worth as invaluable members of society.

Reflect on the pain of rejection, the pain of being the butt of jokes, the pain of being scoffed and humiliated, the pain of being the target of sarcastic comments and the pain of falling out of love. Perhaps now you will realize that PAIN is nothing but the Plain Awareness of Intense Need

Remember: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

Action Points:

1. When was the last time you suffered physical and psychological pain. Can you recollect the exact sequence of events or have you unconsciously blanked out large portions of it? Have you got over your psychological pain? Which pain troubles you more often?
2. Do you think a smile, a courteous word and sparing time for people would be good antidotes to pain for people? How often can you do any or all of the above? Starting now, attempt to do it and make it a habit to smile and spread cheer.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/  is focused on -

 Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/