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We Have Courage When We Care
Courage is very much associated with overcoming fear. It also comes with the consequence of believing that one isn’t courageous if they haven’t jumped out of a plane. I have a fear of swimming. It’s not that I don’t want to swim. I’d love to get into the water when I’m invited to a pool party or get into the ocean at the beach. I do what I care about, and I guess I don’t care enough to overcome my fear of the water. I hope people can converse with me even if I decide not to enter the pool.
I’d rather use a different definition of the word courage. In a world where I am expected to follow the rules and play the assigned roles, I’d rather define courage as following your heart. Just like jumping out of a plane, so few people do this. It makes sense as to why. To go against the grain of society is scary. It takes a lot of courage to come out to your parents. It takes a lot of courage to leave that job for something you believe will be more fulfilling but offer less pay. How scary is it to decide to transition to a gender that was assigned at birth?
Can I Be More Vulnerable?
The very notion of being vulnerable towards another person is courageous. It’s what happens when I live in a society that prioritizes logic over emotion. I care about the great things my brain can do (none of it being bad) at the cost of diminishing the power of the heart. Good ideas about strategies and tactics are prioritized over whether the person doing the work is doing well. I’ve been in plenty of situations where I’ve celebrated the success of a complete goal without discussing the treachery it took to reach the destination. It makes it feel like no one cares if the thing got checked off the list. In a culture like this, I am taught to be “tough” rather than speak the truth about our well-being.
What Would Happen if I Started Caring?
Everything I do has consequences, even if I intend to follow my heart. The strength is pushing past that fear regardless because the love that you have within you is much larger than the fear. To be courageous means not having any secrets but being able to express yourself lovingly. If I’m not harming anyone else, who cares if I run contrary to what society tells me to be? I make this joke often, but it seems like with AI and other enhanced technology, I am going to be replaced by robots. I will be those robots if I am consistently condemned for expressing my true self.
I’ve spent much time learning about detachment during this spiritual journey of mind. Truth be told, I don’t want to detach. I want to be an active participant in life. I want to love things so much that I’m 100% committed to it. Without love being ingrained into the things that I’m doing, it is impossible. It’s impossible to be 100% committed to a company that doesn’t care about the well-being of its employees on a personal level. Being in a relationship is hard since the other person doesn’t care.
Questions and Responses
How is courage traditionally defined, and how can it be redefined?
Courage is often associated with overcoming physical fears, like jumping out of a plane or confronting danger. However, courage can also be redefined as following your heart, even when it goes against societal norms. It takes courage to make difficult decisions, be vulnerable, or pursue paths that prioritize personal fulfillment over external expectations.
How does vulnerability relate to courage?
Vulnerability is a form of courage because it requires us to be open about our emotions and experiences, even when it feels risky. In a society that often prioritizes logic and achievement over emotional well-being, being vulnerable means breaking social norms and expressing our true selves, which takes tremendous bravery.
Why is following your heart considered an act of courage?
Following your heart requires going against societal expectations, whether it’s choosing a career path with less financial security or making personal decisions that defy traditional norms. This type of courage means embracing the uncertainty and fear that comes with stepping outside of what is considered “safe” or “normal” to live authentically.
What are the consequences of not living courageously?
When we don’t live courageously or follow our hearts, we risk becoming disconnected from our true selves. Over time, this disconnection can lead to dissatisfaction, burnout, or the feeling of living a life that doesn’t align with our values or passions. It also diminishes the opportunity to form deeper connections with others, as authenticity is essential for meaningful relationships.
How can we create a culture that encourages vulnerability and authenticity?
Creating a culture that fosters vulnerability requires shifting the focus from just achieving goals to caring about the well-being of individuals. By prioritizing emotional health and open communication, we can build environments where people feel safe to express themselves, even when it challenges norms. Encouraging empathy, understanding, and genuine care for others’ experiences is key to cultivating such a culture.
How does courage play a role in overcoming societal expectations?
Courage is essential in challenging societal expectations, whether it’s coming out to family, transitioning to a different gender, or leaving a secure job for something more fulfilling. Society often imposes strict roles and norms, but courage allows individuals to push past these limitations, embracing their true selves despite the risks of judgment or disapproval.