Struggle, fear, and Courage

Courage is the complement of fear. A man who is fearless cannot be courageous. He is also a fool – Robert A. Heinlein

By definition, courage is the strength in the face of pain or grief.  The ability to do something that frightens one. 

We all face daily struggles. Some struggle with internal battles, some with external. We struggle with ourselves, our spouses, families, co-workers, and bosses. I would go as far as to venture that there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t struggle in some capacity.

A friend once told me “Enjoy the struggle”. I didn’t know what he meant for a long time. One day, I realized what he meant. In reality, he was suggesting embracing the challenge, using the struggle to fuel growth.

A buffalo will turn and charge directly into the storm head-on. My friend was suggesting to be a buffalo!

Charging into the storm is easier said than done. We want to weep at the challenge and drown in the misery of defeat. This where we can redefine struggle, pick up the pieces and build the courage to start marching into the storm.

Aristotle believed that courage was a virtue. As with all virtues, they must be practiced and refined. It is a choice to fight. A choice to defeat the fear, with the drive to be courageous. A choice to believe in a bigger/better/stronger/more capable version of yourself. Courage is problem-solving and restructuring your mind to conquer the challenge ahead.

Be the buffalo, my friends. Make a plan and charge the storm head-on.