Why courage?

In my early forties, I was running a small business, living in a new city, grappling with a new relationship, and just managing to survive from one day to the next. Despite business success, I was often unhappy and lonely. Then I attended a “values” workshop and had a eureka moment.

Courage was what I needed. Not “big” courage, like rescuing someone from a burning building, but “small” courage, like calling someone I like and asking them for a coffee, joining a book club, saying “no” to a customer. I knew that life would consume me if I didn’t dare to walk my own path, no matter how vulnerable or afraid I felt.

It took a while, but some small (and not-so-small) acts of courage have led me to a happier place. And still today, when I feel stuck, I just know that it’s time to dig deep and be courageous. Like launching these stories even with that voice in my head saying, “no one will read them.”

Today times are tough for the whole world…and likely to get tougher. I’ve come to think that courage might be the secret sauce we need to face the personal, social and natural challenges the world is throwing at us and to find (and keep) joy in our lives.

So what is courage, really?

With Finding Courage I set out to explore this question. I asked people I admire to nominate someone whose courage has inspired them.
And what I’ve discovered is that courage shows up in ways I never expected.

It looks different for everyone—and it matters deeply.

I hope the stories you find here help you recognise your own courage. And maybe even spark you to act on it.

Stephanie