The Fifty shades of Courage
In Plato's dialogue Laches, Socrates explores the concept of courage (Andreia) through a conversation with Laches and Nicias, Athenian generals, ultimately questioning if courage is simply perseverance or a more nuanced understanding of knowledge and fear. Here's my version from an understanding of what Courage looks like.
Following your intuition while being unattached to the outcome, that independence is Power; that is Courage!- Sru🔥
So, let's establish that each of us have an ongoing narrative voice and an intuitive voice. Narrative voice is what we're most familiar with, the one we're constantly finding ourselves engaged into. It's almost like a Prism, that takes the white light, the reality and twists them into the visible light colors, our version of the reality. The intuitive voice is the inherent knowing with or without a retractable source of origin. I'm sure you've heard and been hearing both kinds of voices time and again. Narrative ones are creative, while the latter is more from the gut.
The moment we attach our judgements to the probable future situation, good, bad, pleasant, unpleasant, favorable, unfavorable and such, the inherent nature of survival surfaces, that is, fear comes up. Fear either locks us up or limits us from exploring the extent of human experience. I can GUARANTEE that the only time you felt free was when you were totally indulged in what you were doing- physically or mentally, unbothered by the outcome, good or bad.
'Does being unbothered mean when I cause an unfavorable consequence from my action, that I wouldn't be responsible? NO, it is in fact the opposite of that. What it shows is your willingness to involve in action at hand, irrespective of the flavors- good, bad, ugly, you're in it completely. You're in it without distractions of what it could have been, who could be blamed and regretting. So, the consequence is yet another situation you are in, and act accordingly to cater to that. It shouldn't be any more complicated than that.
One important life lesson is to know the whether an impending action is driven by logic or emotions, and when not to follow through either of them. - Sru🔥
So, doing what you inherently know should be the course of action, while being non-judgemental about the outcome, is what I call Courage. Each of us consciously or unconsciously choose courage over fear, we just don't categorize them appropriately is all.
Here's a list of what Courage may look like:
Pushing the boundaries you've conditioned yourself for, a bit farther- Physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Breaking the seemingly unstoppable cycles- debt, addiction, relationships, habits, actions, and choices.
Choosing to care for a life other than yours- Plants, Cat, dog, spouse, children, parents, etc.
To arrive at a total acceptance of the present situation, with absolutely zero denial.
To go beyond emotions to do what is needed, not what you desire.
Coming to the realization that our personality is nothing but a collective impression of ideas gathered from society, and our twisted interpretation and perception.
Being at an absolute ease with someone you don't agree with or emotionally don't connect.
Being a student- enrolling to develop skills that are not your strong suits.
To be okay with being a beginner, a novice.
Opening up to that man or woman and confess the love irrespective of a response from the other end.
Getting out of bed even though the warmth and the comfort of the blankets resist it.
To be okay to appear stupid if that gets a burning question clarified.
Staying back from going to the movies to study even when your friends aren't.
Following the heart and choosing the path least taken.
Unafraid to start late in spite of the critical questions from your analytical mind and the society.
To indulge in doing the right thing even if that's unpopular.
Saying no to the dessert after your meal even though every cell of your body wants at least a bite of it.
Removing make up, finishing the skin care and dental routine before hitting the bed even when you're exhausted.
Hitting the gym in spite of muscle soreness from the previous day's workout.
Saying no to the second cup of coffee when your colleague offers you.
To resist the urge to turn on the music instead of the Audiobook when cooking.
Letting go of your supposed love of your life when he or she isn't a 100% happy with you.
Choosing to stay alone than in an adulterating companionship.
To trust someone or the process fully, without anticipating their behaviors and the outcomes respectively to turn out as you desire.
Taking responsibility of a situation even though you did not cause it.
Helping someone who is clueless without expecting anything in return, not even gratitude.
To let go of that unforgettable experience even though that's the only remaining thing about that person.
To quit anything that doesn't support in enhancing the life that you are. People, memories, environment, society, expectations.
Walking away when the going gets tougher when it's not worth the time, effort, and the chaos.
Knowing the need of the hour- at home, with your loved one, parents, friends, society or in the world, and doing the needful.
Not having an opinion about anything.
To know the absolute important thing for your life to flourish and follow through even when it doesn't fit into the societal and personal framework.
Dancing like your body doesn't exist and as if you've become the air.
Visualizing exactly what you want in life, and the emotions associated with it, in microscopic detail.
To not be ashamed of accepting the mistake without finding people to blame the origin on.
Seeing both the CEO and the cab driver-irrespective of their statuses with the undivided attention.
Uninstalling Instagram, Tik Tok, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
Taking a walk without headset.
Stepping out in the cold morning for a jog.
To cut fruits even when chocolate bars are available for dessert.
Mechanizing the survival- Food, clothing, shelter, finances, and transportation, so that's not a day to day concern.
To keep another entity- Nature, Earth, Sun, food, human, relationships, pets etc, higher than self by being open to feel gratitude, if possible every moment, or at least every night before bed.
Keeping the momentum even when your plan hasn't taken place on the Greater agenda.
To give away genuine appreciation and acknowledgement to those you know gave their best even though they aren't under the spot light.
Knowing that there's no success and failure. There's situations, and your responses. How you respond to the situations and to the consecutive ones is your course of life and an aggregation of your actions- physical, thoughts, and emotions combined, determine how you live your life. No money, no fame, no education, no career, no relationships can make a successful individual.
Knowing that ego is the only thing stopping an individual from experiencing any emotion thoroughly.
To be willing to take pain upon yourself for a greater good- Like Carrying a child, fighting for the people's and animal rights, even walking away from the person you love.
Seeing how minuscule our lives are, in a grand scheme of things, yet choosing to be the best version to the World.
Being boundlessly happy, for small or big reason, or for no reason at all, with no holdbacks.
Recognizing that a setback isn't the end of life. Damage to us- physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, or spiritually, doesn't have to decide our next course of action, hence our life.
BONUS: Seeing the untwisted, unpainted, pure reality of the events, and people without filters of previous impressions, memories, imagination, and anticipation.
Let me know what is Courage as you see it!! :)
Sru🔥
References:
None- When you get a chance, just read or read about the "Plato's dialogue Laches". Here's the link
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