Courage Is Grace Under Pressure
By Charis Jones
You will encounter or meet people in your life who will inspire you or make you think about things from a different perspective. These people are meant to come into your life for a reason. A sign from the universe, a little nudge in the right direction, or to simply teach you.
I had an encounter with a young gentleman when returning home from work who did that for me. He reminded me just how valuable our life really is and how we should live with no regrets.
Walking through Central London he approached and asked me what I did for a living as he thought I looked creative. I had never met him before but stopped as he asked in a nice manner. After introducing himself and a brief conversation he then said that he felt compelled to approach me to ask for my number and that if he did not then he ‘would regret it forever’. Those words I found extremely powerful.
Here was a young man who I had never met before but found the courage to walk up to me in the middle of the street and ask me for my number? How many of you would do the same? Being honest, I know I certainly would not. Yet, he took the risk. He went for it. Despite the possibility of being knocked back he simply put himself out there and I had such admiration and respect for him for doing so. Despite me declining his kind offer he did not look disappointed but glad that he took the opportunity to do so. After walking away, I thought about his actions and his intention.
This is how we should view life. To have no regrets. To be courageous in the face of diversity.
We all hold within us the possibility to do so but the only thing stopping us is fear. Fear of rejection? Fear of failing? Fear of not being good enough? Fear that has been installed from our own thoughts or the thoughts and comments of others. Some how do we overcome this fear?
By being courageous. By stepping into the unknown.
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt
When you are older you will not be thinking about the things that you have done but instead the things that you did not. You will be thinking about the opportunities that you missed out on, that you did not go after, the people you did not call, the words you did not say or the places that you did not visit. All things that only time could have changed had you been courageous. Moments that might be different had you faced your fear. Had you stepped outside your comfort zone.
Like anything in life if you never try then you will never know? Do not let fear stop you from going after and achieving what you really want. Be brave and step outside your comfort zone as only then you will grow. Comfort feels safe but becoming the best version of yourself is extremely liberating and fulfilling.
It’s better to have lived your life exactly as you want rather than live a life of regret. Do something that not only excites you but scares you too. That is the little nudge or sign from the universe saying you should do it. Take the risk. Be Brave.
Courage is grace under pressure.
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