Courage is something that everybody wants, yet courage is not just physical bravery. In general, there are six types of courage we may need to face life challenges:
1. Physical courage – Feeling fear yet choosing to act. Involves bravery at the risk of bodily harm or death; and, developing physical strength, resilience and awareness.
2. Emotional courage – Following our heart. Open us to feeling the full spectrum of emotions – pleasant and unpleasant – without attachment.
3. Intellectual courage – Expanding our horizons, letting go of the familiar. It is about our willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn with an open and flexible mind.
4. Social courage – To be ourself in the face of adversity. Involves the risk of social embarrassment or exclusion, unpopularity or rejection. It also involves leadership.
5. Moral courage – Standing up for what is right. Involves doing the right thing even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.
6. Spiritual courage – Facing pain with dignity or faith. It helps us live with purpose and meaning through a heart centred approach towards all life and oneself.
“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honour.”
– Aristotle
Adapted from ‘Six Types of Courage‘, by Dungate & Armstrong