POWER OF COURAGE: Chapt.2

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COURAGE AND FEAR

Most philosophers and psychologists agree that courage involves persistence in danger or hardship. However, some argue that courage is synonymous with fearlessness, while others suggest that the presence or the absence of fear has nothing to do with courage. Being fearful is a powerful force that can lead to stagnation. In fact, if fear is not viewed correctly it can prevent you from achieving your goals and pursuing opportunities. Consequently, many people allow fear to keep them stuck in their comfort zone rather than flexing their courage muscles and trying something new in spite of the risks putting your feelings into words helps curb your negative responses to fear, voicing your fears doesn't make you weak. Instead, it makes you brave. After all, it is not easy to acknowledge where you are vulnerable. So, if you are able to acknowledge your fears, you're one step closer to being courageous. Consequently, rather than minimizing your fear or denying that it exists, recognize what is holding you back. By acknowledging your fear—either by writing it down or by sharing it with a supportive person—you are empowering yourself to be courageous in spite of feeling fearful. When it comes to living a life filled with courage, it helps to begin by identifying what you're good at as well as where you have been successful. In fact, research shows that people who recognize and develop their strengths not only feel happier and less depressed but are also more resilient Additionally, knowing what you're good at helps boost your confidence, which makes it more likely you will take risks and be courageous. Likewise, when you're confident in your abilities, you're much more willing to go all-in when an opportunity presents itself.What's more, when you are struggling with fear and want to incorporate more courage in your life, it's natural to focus on your shortcomings and your weaknesses. But, doing this just makes it less likely that you will feel courageous. For Psychologist this9reason, it's important to think about what you're good at as a way of building your confidence and your courage. When it comes to being courageous, it's helpful to imagine not only the worst thing that could happen if you take a risk but also what would happen if you didn't act at all. Many times, comparing the two extremes pips is all you need to move beyond your fears because most of the time, the worst thing that could happen is often minimal in comparison to what you could gain by acting. If you regularly use comparisons like these, you will build an immunity to letting your fears control you over time. Additionally, you can create scenarios where you envision yourself doing something that you're afraid of. Imagine how you will handle each possible scenario including how you might respond or what you might say. These exercises are a way for you to practice being courageous without having to put yourself out there until you feel ready. S. J. Rachman (1990) entered this debate with a definition of courage that takes into account three components of fear:101. the subjective feeling of apprehension2. the physiological reaction to fear (e.g., increased heart rate)3. the behavioural response to fear (e.g., an effort to escape the fearful situation). These components are imperfectly linked, and it is possible to experience one or two without another. The courageous person effects an uncoupling of fear's components by resisting the behavioural response and facing the fearful situation, despite the discomfort produced by subjective and/or physical reactions.If a person is fearless, the behavioural component of fear is not at issue, for there is no reason to avoid or escape something that elicits no subjective or physical sensation of fear.It seems unwarranted, therefore, to suggest that the fearless person is courageous. Such an assertion would make a virtue out of having an unresponsive autonomic nervous system in circumstances fearful to others. Unless one experiences the sensation of fear, subjectively and/or physically, no courage is required. As an astute observer of human behaviour, Mark Twain, observed, "Courage is resilience to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear".