Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Do you have the virtue of COURAGE in you?



“In order to Win, you have to Play with Fear” -- Coach Dave Buck


Wikipedia definition of courage:
Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.

Recently, I was on a study group and the theme of discussion was “Stepping out of your comfort zone”. Initially I thought --- Why do we have to discuss this? Everybody, at least me, love to do things out of the comfort zone. Well, well, well.... how wrong I was. Even the most courageous people in history have experienced FEAR at some stage of their life and FEAR of FAILURE is what keeps us doing things that makes us feel good without taking any risks.

How many times we do not have the confidence to speak up and give our opinions on matters that are important and right for us? Do you stay on a relationship that is not fulfilling and only gives you uncertainty just because it gives you status or financial security? Are you on a job that is so boring that every morning is a punishment for you? Do you feel stuck in life just because taking any risk could make you look foolish if you fail?

Many times what keep us from moving out of our comfort zone is our own addiction to destructive thoughts that we keep repeating to ourselves--- “our inner conversations”. Our core beliefs saying to us “I am a loser” “I am stupid” “I am ugly” “I am old” “I am too young” “I always fail” “I am unlovable” “I am not smart”. Well, you get the picture..... I compare those destructive thoughts to our inner “ants”. Little-tiny things that exist and if you don’t learn how to control them they will bite you and will make your life miserable.

You have to understand that in order to start taking risk and move out of your comfort zone the only thing that you need to do is have the courage to TAKE ACTION. You could start by noticing every sensation you have in your body when you think about making changes in your life. Be aware of the feelings and you will develop the understanding of your FEAR ....that is AWARENESS. Once you are aware of the feeling of fear and the sensations that come with the fear, you have the first battle already under control because every time you confront fear, fear loses its power.

Then you will say to yourself, “What if I try and I fail?” That is the beauty of taking action with awareness of fear... you know that failing is a possibility but you know with the consciousness that comes with awareness that if failure comes knocking at your door it will be an opportunity to learn, improve and try again. By having the courage to let go of those beliefs that are keeping you on your comfort zone, you allow positive energy move you into action. You will know how to STOP PLAYING SAFE. We are all wired to avoid risk but only by stepping out of our comfort zone is where we can enjoy satisfaction, happiness and success. When we live like that, we understand how to adapt to changes while taking chances that are critical to enjoy any type of success.

We live in a very competitive world and if we have the courage to at least try to move out of the world we have always known, a new world full of surprises will be waiting to be discovered. Your courage to confront and face your feelings of fear will provide you the required awareness to move out of your comfort zone, in other words, you will check what is the best course of action and then go ahead and do what needs to be done. You have to stop playing safe because for things to change in your life you are required to take courageous action. It is great to be able to move through uncertainty with the required clarity that will allow smart risk-taking to produce your inspired results when you move toward your desired goals and dreams.

Be BOLD today and take the risk; you will discover beautiful things about yourself and about the world. Say to the “ants” inside of you “I have great potential, I have COURAGE!”.  Just take the risk of the first step, and you will make great discoveries.
Evelyn Torres is a Transformational Life Coach


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