The Many Faces of Courage
My mother celebrated her 81st birthday this month. This past year has been full of painful opposites for her. She and I have embarked on a conversation that she calls, “the trials of living.” I call these conversations, “the hard gifts of living.” At least that is the choice I make when I enter into these conversations with her.
I typically sit in silence after my call to her. Not any different from when I complete a coaching conversation with a client. The practice of sitting quietly after these conversations helps me gather my thoughts –I reflect on the energy or lack of around things that matter deeply to my mother and to my clients. Of late, I have been struck by how easy it is to dismiss the courage it takes for all of us to stay in all conversations; especially the ones that we viscerally know are difficult for us.
In no particular order, here is my shout-out to how courage continues to show up in our lives. I hope you notice a familiar friend or two in this list and give yourself a huge applause.
· Courage is the choice to travel light.....because biases and prejudices are self-serving
· Courage lies within our unpreparedness.....because unscripted moments can hold joy
· Courage embraces noticing practices…..because, in our vulnerability, we soften
· Courage defies logic sometimes…..because deep conviction is just that—a North Star
· Courage is in the questions we ask…..because asking is how we make sense of our clumsiness
· Courage is the disciplined practice we pick……because practice shows us a way forward
· Courage lies in receiving the paradox/angst …..because growth happens within life’s contradictions
A few authors that deserve a shout-out for how they show up with courage for all of us: Pema Chodron, Mark Nepo and Brene Brown.
I invite you to pause today and give a shout-out to how courage shows up in your life. Notice it, share it, and celebrate it. Please add to this list and encourage someone to mirror your “brave” practice.
Thank you for reading and engaging in this conversation.
So beautifully written Sunitha. Thank you for sharing your intimate and lovely thoughts. I often look for the older and wiser people in my midst...looking for wisdom and “the hard gifts of living.” Kevin PS...love all, but this one particularly caught my eye: "Courage embraces noticing practices…..because, in our vulnerability, we soften."
"Courage is fighting the urge to respond to someone when just listening and acknowledgement is what is really needed in that moment".
Morgan O'Donnell, thanks for reading and posting your reflection-- the dialog gap is real and significant and anytime that we pause, just like you did, it opens up space for all to breathe and connect. We may or may not agree--yet we can hold a conversation tinged with hope and joy when we create this pause.
Lovely piece Sunitha. For me lately, courage lies in not knowing -- and leaning in anyway. Thank you!