Being human is all about having your strength tested by the upcoming storms and hurricanes. Facing them, often unexpected and without preparation of any kind, are frustrating isn't it? Well, there is one thing you can do.
That is, to look straight up at fear in the eye and never let it overtake or consume you.
Start thinking ourselves as bold people that are sometimes fearless instead of fear-filled people who try to be bold.
Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here are the few “little” courageous acts you can try:
1. Be okay with things that are outside of your control
In life, some things are within your control and some things aren’t. Learn to stop being held back by your many “COULD HAVE BEEN”s. What’s done is done, never let your past consume your present. Your past doesn’t define you. It merely opens up a new path for you to reach the future. No one knows what is going to happen in the later chapters, your fate is within your own hands.
The first step is to have forgiveness. Forgive yourself. Forgive your parents. Forgive your friends. Forgive everyone. When we know better, we do better. It takes courage to move on.
So take your foot off the gas pedal, take one step at a time, and focus on what's immediately in front of you. Learn something new. Do something bold. Step into the unknown. Change the way you do things. It doesn't matter if you get it the first time. Try again. Give yourself permission to be a beginner. Life is about facing new opportunities, going through its ups and downs, that’s what makes life interesting.
If everything is in your control, wouldn’t life be boring?
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
― Anaïs Nin
2. Be honest with your own feelings
Embrace your feelings as they are, why deny your own voice when they are who you are? Your feelings matter, they are legitimate and they don't make you weak or broken.
Check-in with yourself throughout the day. Even when you sense that control is slowly slipping away, tell yourself it’s okay.
Take a breather and revisit what went wrong then learn from your past mistakes. Take notice of how the quality of your work shifts every hour, as you become more conscious of your intentions.
Put happy thoughts on rewind, tell yourself that it is okay to make mistakes and there is always a next time. Don’t worry so much about what lies in the future, focus on doing things that bring you joy.
Be kinder to yourself.
The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.
― Coco Chanel
3. Be grateful for the little things
Be grateful for the people you love and for the people who love you. Always have a good attitude. Take a shot in looking at things from different perspectives. See the glass half full. Look at the bright side. Expect the best. Choose to focus on what's good.
Appreciate the little wonders in life. Life is beautiful, slow down your seconds and let your senses be the judge!
Take time to revel in a flower blooming, close your eyes and let the scent of its blooms do all of the talking. Let the taste of a glass of cold water sink in. See the world as different shades of colours as there's more to it than the simple black and white.
Enjoy the smell of clean clothes and the taste of a fresh slice of bread. Enjoy a brisk walk, a quiet morning, or a star-filled night.
Beyond a child's smile or an elderly person's worn hands, everything holds an untold story.
Count your blessings. Tell the people in your life "thank you."
The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.
― Paulo Coelho
4. It’s okay to get help
Whatever problems you're facing now, they will only amplify if you isolate yourself and think you can handle it all on your own.
If that's you, your first move is to reach out and seek community and support. Then go to battle to defeat your depression or anxiety with trusted loved ones at your side.
Start believing in the fact that you are not alone in this battle and everything you need is with you, only then your chances of recovery are much quicker.
When you are stuck, addicted or unhappy, seek professional help. When you are overwhelmed at work, ask for assistance. When you don't understand something, ask for an explanation.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
― Lao Tzu
5. Love yourself
Don’t be afraid to make yourself a priority.
In life, you are going to lose friends, family and partners, but no matter who walks out on your life, never lose yourself. The most important things to learn what to do is to love yourself when you feel unloved by those around you and be there for yourself when you feel like you have no one.
Don’t be afraid to lose people. Be afraid of losing yourself by trying to please everyone around you. Don’t chase love or force love. If it is meant to be, it will happen naturally and when the time’s right.
Spend your time focusing on yourself and chasing your dreams. Let love find you & when it happens accidentally, you will know that you were meant to meet that person on purpose.
One day someone is going to hug you so tight that all of your broken pieces will stick back together.
Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.
― Rumi
Now, go and find the courage hidden within you!