Just a thought…

Courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. (Merriam-Webster)

I don’t think of myself as courageous. I’m not very adventurous, and definitely not a dare devil. But courage can be present on many different levels.

It can be jumping out of an airplane, climbing the highest summit, or swimming with sharks. Or fighting for one’s country, saving someone from a raging fire, or going on a mission trip to help the poor.

Courage can also mean:

Getting out of bed each morning, to face a day filled with hardships.

Standing up to a bully.

Fighting to receive the best medical care for your child.

Standing up for yourself.

Speaking out on matters that are important to you.

Leaving.

Staying.

We all have courage. How does this apply to me? How am I courageous? I’m doing my part, however small, to help end the stigma of mental health conditions.

I still don’t think of myself as courageous. I’m simply doing what I think is right and what I believe in. I’m sharing my experiences, in hopes of helping and encouraging others.

I suppose it does take some boldness to speak out, especially on a personal level. I’m in training with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I’ll be talking to high school students about raising awareness. I’m excited, but nervous. It’s out of my comfort zone.

But I’m attempting it anyway.

Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s the ability to act in the presence of fear.

 

First image courtesy of here

Second image courtesy of here