Courage.

“Courage” is my favourite word. How I have gotten to this point, I don’t know. Is it because I am an athlete, or because I moved to a whole new city when I was 12? Or, maybe because my mom had to have chemo to treat her cancer when I was 14. Possibly, maybe and perhaps, but that’s all beside the point. “Why” is the real question. Why is this simple seven letter word so important to me?

Let me first ask you this, which of the two sounds more accurate: you are first courageous and then get scared, or you are first scared and then you are courageous? I want you to really think about that. The question seized my brain when it was asked to me and I suddenly realized how it was the exact quality that I was lacking most in my life.

As an athlete, I used to always be so scared to make a mistake and let my team down. Rather than being fearful, I needed to be courageous and accept the challenge even though I was scared. When I moved to Montreal at such a young age, I was scared, as anyone would be, but I let it get the best of me. I became shy and reserved, rather than being extroverted and outgoing. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I let it severely affect me and it put me down a rough path. The fear consumed me, while I should have been feeling confident and manifesting positive outcomes.

Courage is not the act of being scared, but it is the resulting reaction to that fear. A reaction of bravery and determination, even considering the fear that you have.

A common misconception that people have is that fear is bad and consequently, they block it out whenever they have the chance. This may make them feel like they’re rising above their fears, but if you block them out, there isn’t anything to rise above. So, that is not courage, it is being emotionally repressed. Acknowledging the fear and yet following through is the key.

Elanor Roosevelt famously once said “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” The overall meaning behind this quote is truly significant, however, the last sentence is the part we need to take away. “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” That is courage in its entirety.

Although acts of courage differ drastically depending on the person one is always consistent: we are all initially scared. For me, being courageous may be making a risky pass in soccer, even though it might go wrong. For you, it might be respectfully standing up for yourself, even though you might receive backlash. For someone else that might be saying “I love you” for the first time, even though they’re scared of the possible rejection.

But don’t focus on the what might be a negative outcome because that is only one of the two possibilities. The other, more likely possibility is that the risky pass works out, the individual finally realizes what they’ve been doing wrong and the person say “I love you too”.

Courage is not something that comes over night, but just like any muscle in your body, the more you work it, the better you’ll get.

No one is perfect and we are constantly trying better ourselves, so promise me this: the next time you are scared, be courageous! Acknowledge the fear, think about the amazing outcomes and then just go for it!