How are you courageous?

[glw]

I'm on this hippie-dippy mailing list that sends out "inspiring" emails that I ignore most of the time, but today's got me thinking:

"Courage is more than just bravery. It is discovering your authentic self and developing the strength to live your life in accordance with your values, even in the face of adversity.

Even if you don’t see yourself as particularly courageous, many of us have had moments in our lives when we’ve stood up for what we believe in, even when it was unpopular.
There are moments each day, week or month when we all can choose to be courageous, even if we are afraid. For example, there may be a woman who is contemplating filing a complaint at work because she is getting paid less than her co-workers, but is afraid of the repercussions. Or a child who would like to tell a teacher about a bully at her school, but is nervous that she will get picked on. Or even a woman who is thinking of “liking” the page of a cause she believes in on Facebook, but is afraid of the comments her friends or relatives would write on her page.

Courage can be intimidating because it goes against our natural instincts, but if we can overcome our anxieties and choose to speak up, it can benefit others and help us build the strength to live in accordance with our values."


The only things I can think of are being vocally pro-LGBT rights and being childfree.

[sapphire bou]

I think it was courageous of me to stand my ground with the wedding guest list. We kept it small even though there were a lot more people who wanted to go.

Being childfree although we haven't caught too much flack for it yet.

I have stood up to my manager in the past when I knew I deserved a raise even though I knew I would be met with resistance.

[alabasterangel]

I'm pretty brutal when it comes to cutting out people who are not making my life a better life.

Former friends and blood relatives alike.. most people seem to have a problem with that.

[OrangePixyStix]

I guess I need to work on my courageous acts, I can't seem to think of anything substantial off the top of my head.

[louietunes]

I guess being pro-LGBT rights. I can't think of anything else, though.

[MyName]

Being extremely vocal about being a never-ever.

Going back to work while I was still on crutches.

Getting my MBA without a clear plan of what I'd do with it afterward. (This may just be stupid.)

I've never really been pressured into anything I didn't want to do. I am very good at saying NO...and making excuses.

[sitnspin]

I opened my own spinning studio and that took a lot of courage, IMO.

I was scared to quit both jobs (at other gyms) and take a chance on myself, but I am so thankful that I did.

[honeydew1894]

I guess persuing adoption could be brave. Also, I left a decent job to try teaching. Luckily, it worked out.

[Deleted]

I'm courageous because I took a chance and moved from Kansas to Michigan when I was 19. I'm courageous because I gave therapy a try. I'm courageous because I packed up my life again at age 24 and moved from Michigan to California. I'm courageous because I speak up for my beliefs with being pro-LGBT and will tell people off if I hear them being disrespectful.

[Bridey]

IMO it takes courage just to get through every day. Just look at the world we live in, the depleting ozone layer, war, the economy, healthcare and countless other things in our lives.

[lizo11]

I had to ask my H what he would say makes me courageous (I couldn't think of anything...) and he said "hands down the fact that you are genuinely nice to everyone. No matter what, you can find something nice to say about anyone and everyone. Frickin' Polly Positive, if you will."

[louietunes]

Jun 12, 2012 14:30:08 GMT -5 lizo11 said:

I had to ask my H what he would say makes me courageous (I couldn't think of anything...) and he said "hands down the fact that you are genuinely nice to everyone. No matter what, you can find something nice to say about anyone and everyone. Frickin' Polly Positive, if you will."

:Y: Mine would have shrugged and said "uhno".

[treedimensional]

I started my own business. Then, I ordered 5000 business cards. FiveTHOUSAND.

[ILikeSloths]

I like this post.

A few people have told me I'm courageous for supporting my H's job due to the danger, hours, etc. I definitely worry about him and some of the things we deal with have been hard, but it's worth it to see him happy and making a difference. I'm so proud of him.

At my last job I was courageous because I stood up to my verbally abusive boss.