A recent sermon left me thinking about values and virtues. As the pastor concluded, he challenged each one of us to go away and think deeply about that ONE principle, that ONE quality we believe is currently driving the decisions we’re individually faced with as we wrap up 2018.<\/p>\n
Well, I believe that for me courage is the word. This is because, at the moment courage is the one virtue that will help me ensure that all the pieces fall into place. Also, courage is currently moving forward towards some of the decisions I’m making. <\/p>\n
What’s interesting, now I realize that my life journey has, this far, allowed me to come up with a few personal principles on courage; as a virtue. <\/p>\n
These principles are:<\/p>\n
Principle #1<\/b>: Courage does not mean not having fear, it means standing up to that fear and doing what must be done \u2013 even though it\u2019s scary (the absence of fear is not courage, the absence of fear is brain damage \u2013 M. Scott Peck: The Road Less Traveled).<\/p>\n
Principle #2<\/b>: Fear is the parent of both courage and cowardice, and at any given situation, I have to choose which child to raise and nurture. Looking back into my footsteps, I notice that, in the past whenever I chose fear over courage, my choice was reactive. However, during those moments that I chose courage over fear, I became proactive.<\/p>\n
Principle #3<\/b>: Fear and courage are both contagious. I make an effort to share my courageous moments with others, simply to inspire. I also share my fearful moments with my inner circle because it promotes collective thinking and it helps me gain a wider perspective in a matter.<\/p>\n
Principle #4<\/b>: Caring is the root of courage. If I care enough about something, I always find the courage I need to do what I must do.<\/p>\n
Principle #5<\/b>: I find that the more I fear taking a particular course of action, the more important it is for my well-being of my soul that I take that course (Seven Pressfield: The War of Art).<\/p>\n
Principle #6<\/b>: Fear excludes others and creates enemies; courage includes others and creates friends; exclusivity always reflects underlying fear of those who are \u201cdifferent.\u201d Even though I share the same values with most of my friends, I make sure that we always nurture a conducive environment to be unique individuals. Those of you who know my best friend Alex (or Lexi, as I fondly call her); will hopefully know what I mean. My friendship with Lexi allows me to be myself and at the same time, blesses me with a totally different perspective of life. (And I’m putting it lightly and lovingly here because Alex and I often disagree yet our friendship stays strong).<\/p>\n
Principle #7<\/b>: Courage is sometimes expressed in silence rather than in words, and in stillness rather than in action.<\/p>\n
Courage, wisdom and mindfulness often work hand in hand. Hence I live by this prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.<\/p>\n
What – according to your life story – do you believe is the most important of all virtues. Yes, all principles are important but which single ONE in particular is currently influencing you the most as you move towards the 2018 finish line?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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