We are living presently living through a horrific universal crisis and at this time, we have a thousand reasons to panic due to the uncertainly of our situations. At this time, the fortifying force that will get us through is courage and persistence.
Courage is the opposite of fear and while some people may have natural courage others are more fearful, courage is also like a muscle we need to develop.
Obstacles actually give us the muscle and fiber we need to develop, and the more we practice courage, the stronger we become internally.
Here are a few ways we can build courage:
- Start with reading courage stories, our Holy Book, quotes, and other material about courage and pray, meditate. We first need to feed our soul in order to change our mindsets from fear to courage. As you read words on courage, they will start to recharge you and give you deep inner strength. It is all about developing new thoughts and a new pattern of thinking so as each day dawns, you will get new strength.
- Push through challenges: It is very easy to throw up the towel and run away. We come across countless statements on Twitter where people proclaim openly that they want to die or they are going to commit suicide. One has to develop a mentality to push through. You have to have a motivating image in your mind always, either as a mountain climber who is definitely going to reach the top of the mountain or a swimmer who is going to cross the lake to the other side. Something has to push you on. Or an image in your mind that you will go through COVID in shining armor and be untouched, and victorious at the end of the pandemic. Remember, we have untapped energy that enables us to push through and courage makes us win.
- Develop a state of calm: It is very easy to panic, and say fearful things all the time, and panic leads us into a state of hysteria. People often send WhatsApp messages with conspiracy theories and setting people into panic attacks. It would be wise to ignore these messages. Take deep breaths and stay calm. Pray when thoughts of fear start to attack you and speak to yourself to be calm, assure yourself nothing bad will happen. A calm mind will always build our inner strength.
- Always remember that the storm happened for a reason, to change us, and once we walk through tough times, we will never be the same person we were before it. Thus, it is important to glean lessons through the storm. If the storm does not transform us, it will keep raging.
- Presence changes us: Our inner strength and courage grow from the presence of the positive and the Presence of God in our lives. The more you cultivate “presence” the less you will panic and though you face problems, you will overcome and never be defeated in the true sense of the world. Each situation changes you, from “strength to strength” as you walk through it in courage.
- Always remember life is not always easy but we get stronger: Courage grows when we start to lose the fear of the unknown. In fact, if we develop an attitude to let go of our fears, and not worry about what will happen, courage fills us instantly. No matter what happens, if you trust in a higher Source and believe in yourself, you will keep growing stronger.
- Your greatest strength is your uniqueness: Transform whatever you are and turn your weaknesses into your strengths. For example, if you are a person who panics easily, take that and practice patience and calmness. If you get angry fast, recognize it is a problem, work on it and transform yourself to a peaceful person. This will become your uniqueness because from what you used to be, you became a new person and that is great courage. Accepting your weak points and transforming them.
“For what it’s worth: It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over again.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald (American novelist).
Have a wonderfully blessed day!
One walks through
The wilderness
With great courage
Goes through the fire
Deep encounters
Transforming and enriching
Through each trial
Becomes better and sweeter