Spotting for courage in others is tricky. Moreover, spotting courage in yourself is also tricky. Courage isn’t a “thing” unto itself. It’s not the absence of fear, it’s not confidence, and it’s not decisiveness. It’s not boldness, quickness, or anything else.
Courage is defined solely by what you do.
You know what courage feels like? It feels like FEAR. Courage is continuing to press forward even when you’re back is up against the wall and failure is almost certain. You know what you’re feeling when you’re back is up against the wall? FEAR.
So you may want courage, you may tell other people you have courage, but when push comes to shove, the last thing you want to do is have to prove your courage, because it is impossible to demonstrate courage without also demonstrating fear. You cannot show the ability to act in spite of your fears without also showing the fears!
So here’s my wish to you: may you spend your whole life wondering if you are courageous.
