Moments of Courage

Have you had moments in life when you know you must act on something important, but seemed to have lost the courage to act ? Did you mean to ask that special someone out? Did you mean to apply for that job? Did you want to conquer the fear of public speaking? Did you mean to speak up for someone who was wronged? Did you want to start your own business?

I have been through some of these “testing” moments. One of my most vivid memories was that of a younger me in 1999. I had a rare opportunity to start my own business. But I was terrified. I had too many fears and too many questions, like… What if can’t put food on the table? Will I have clients? What is my niche? Will I succeed?”

Thankfully, during that important juncture of my life, my spirit was lifted by the following quotes on courage:

* “Always do what you’re afraid to do.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

* “Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the making of action in spite of fear.” ~ M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled.

I learned that I need not wait for all my fears to disappear before acting on something I want to do. I learned that as long as I can acknowledge my fears and still move forward, I have developed courage, and matured as a person.

So, I finally took the plunge and started my own business, in spite of my fears. And that has made all the difference.

Has there been a moment, or moments, in your life, when you decided to act, in spite of your fears? What are these moments? How did you feel?