Many think of courage as a masculine emotion applied, under emergency or dangerous circumstances, requiring action in the face of our fear. Courage isn t often a word associated with building solid, loving relationships, however it is a catalyst for facing our fears and affecting positive changes. Often we are prisoners in a cage of our own creation-looking to keep the peace while denying our own emotions or choosing not to confront an issue out of fear. This is where courage can make all the difference. Courage, in this situation, means being willing to act in a way that truly reflects who we are and how we view the world.
Courage means being willing to stand up to the reactions of others calmly and strongly.
The opposite of courage is compliance. It is an amazing, liberating feeling when can break out of our fear and say what we truly feel. Perhaps some of you are thinking sounds great in an ideal world but there s no way my spouse, boss or friend is going to appreciate my opinions. They are too controlling, stubborn, narrow-minded, defensive, blaming, etc. There are absolutely situations that won t change just because you ve changed.