Motivation Mondays: Courage
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela
Motivation Mondays: Courage – Mount Everest Photograph by Ryszard Pawłowski
Motivation Mondays: Courage – poster via de tout coeur limousin
In literature from Classical Antiquity, Courage/Fortitude is considered one of the four Cardinal Virtues (Prudence, Justice and Temperance are others), and to live a full and productive life is to live it with doses of courage. We often imagine courageous people to be warriors, risk takers and lion-like, but there is more to that category. While warriors and such are part of the picture we paint when we think of the word, Courage also comes in small packages; it comes in simple yet life changing actions. For some, it takes courage to get out of bed and start the day; It takes courage to stick to that exercise and weight loss routine; It takes courage to speak up and defend those who can’t speak for themselves; It takes courage to leave familiar ground and venture afar. Courage is like a mountain, until we reach the top, it seems insurmountable. How have you been courageous in your life?
“The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” Robert Green Ingersoll
Motivation Mondays: Courage – Steps at Wakayama Castle Nishinomaru Garden
Motivational Minute #24 – Courage by Nick Vujicic
When I left the UK to move to the USA, I did so under the objections of my father. I assured him I would focus on my studies and follow the right path. There was a part of me that was terrified to move to a new country and start life afresh, away from friends and all my family, but I knew it was the best thing to do. Many times during my years here, I wanted to pack up and leave, but I remembered my promise to my dad to make the best of my time here and live with courage. It takes courage to move to a new country and start at the bottom. Many people who were successful professionals in their native lands come to the USA and start at the bottom of the rung or even change professions because they can’t get licensed in their field of studies; it takes great courage to make that leap. Even starting a blog and sticking to it is an act of courage. Get the picture? So don’t beat yourself up for not being like XYZ. Pat yourself on the back for the courageous steps you take daily. Little steps lead to big steps. What acts of courage do you have planned for this week?
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for November are:
11/3 – Change
11/10 – Courage
11/17 – Forgiveness
11/24 – Gratitude
More below!
“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” Aristotle
Motivation Mondays: Courage – Himalayas by NASA
COURAGE by Tim Han – MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO 2014
When we think about Courage, we sometimes get discouraged because we think the obstacles will be huge. Yet, if we think of our goal and the bigger picture of how to we will feel once that fear is overcome, we can begin to make the necessary effort to reach our destination or a specific goal. The Himalayas, the world’s highest mountain range, has been scaled by courageous mountaineers. They tried it even though it seemed insurmountable. You don’t have to be a mountain climber, you can climb your own symbolic mountains in small ways every day. By the way, that shot is from NASA as seen from space. Keep your eyes on the prize and your mountains will become mole hills. What mountain will you scale today?
Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for November below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join and add your voice.
Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM
Positive Motivation Tip: Courage takes effort and humility. Until we are willing to let go of shame and failure, we will continue to avoid being courageous.
Related Posts
- Motivation Mondays: Dream (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: CHANGE (mirthandmotivation)
- What Does Courage Mean To You? (detoutcoeurlimousin)
- RIP Zig Ziglar: King of Motivation… (mirthandmotivation)
- Reflections: Be The Change… (mirthandmotivation)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: Mount Everest, Wakayama Castle Nishinomaru Garden, Himalayas by NASA via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Trackbacks
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- Motivation Mondays: ACCEPTANCE | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: The BUSY BUSY TRAP | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: Compassion | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: Joy! | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: REGRETS | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: SILENCE | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: PERSPECTIVE | Mirth and Motivation
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- Motivation Mondays: CELEBRATION | Mirth and Motivation
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- Motivation Mondays: HEALTH | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: STRENGTH | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: PERFECTION | Mirth and Motivation
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- Motivation Mondays: WORRY | Mirth and Motivation
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- Motivation Mondays: GRACE | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: TIME | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: CONTROL | Mirth and Motivation
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- Motivation Mondays: FAILURE | Mirth and Motivation
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You find the best quotes!
b
Thank you so much Barb! They find me. 🙂
Very inspirational thoughts here. Yes, courage is not the absence of fear but triumph over it. And if I may add, courage is the will to overcome mountain-high obstacle wherein the the very first step is the most difficult one, but if God is on your side then there fear takes the backseat.
I like the quote “The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” It says how defeats are something that we conquer and surpass and is just part of success.
This Motivation Mondays of yours makes me feel at ease. Words are really powerful and quotes like these are something we can live for. Thank you for sharing all these really nice quotes!
I envy you for your courage to make such a big leap, moving to a different country with a totally different set of culture and environment. I wish I had that courage when I was younger and opportunities were available.
But let me see how I will apply courage in my current. I just might join in the Twitter fun, let’s see. 🙂
Inspiring post – and stunning pics – bonjour from me at http://detoutcoeurlimousin.blogspot.fr/2014/11/what-does-courage-mean-to-you.html #happymonday
Thank you for sharing your post. I will add it soon. TY!
I believe the most courageous thing I’ve done in my life is to admit myself in a hospital for an operation. I had no one with me since my parents are both working abroad and most of our families lives far away from where I live.
Courage and being strong are often interchanged. I guess, we learn to be courageous or strong when we are left alone.
That was definitely very brave of you… It takes courage to do that as a young person.
Keep your eyes on the prize and your mountains will become mole hills. I love this sentence, and this is going to be on my wallpaper for the next month!
I’m proud of you that you moved despite your dad’s disapproval. Something I’ve been wanting to do but never had the courage.
Thanks Eliz, I confess I’ve been beating myself up a little the last few days.
Please Gilly, don’t! You work too hard to feel like that. You’ve done plenty with your life already my friend. TY! 🙂
At the age of 19, I too left the UK to start a new life in Australia, under many objections from my family who thought I was being reckless, and I never looked at it like I had courage, but on reflection, I suppose it was. It was a very new country and I didn’t know what to expect but I was determined to succeed.
Love this post because you have shown us that courage comes in many forms, both big and small.
Yes, Barb! We share that in common and I remember it was that leap that drew me to you too. We were young and bold and while it seemed a bit reckless at the time, it wasn’t for us at all. We made the best of our brave move. Thanks for sharing your story here.
Words of wisdom! Thanks for these, I needed this today.
Thank you! 🙂
I learned this in business a long time ago.. but personally, i conquered a few fears over this past summer that i felt very good about.
Good for you. It shows in your massive effort.
I love the photos they speak volumes
This is a very inspirational post! One I needed to read today! Very lovely! The photos are beautiful too!
Glad it spoke to you!
Having courage is a wonderful thing. It’s not always easy, but it usually pays off.
It sure does pay off in the long run. Taking the first step is the hardest
These are some great, motivational and inspirational quotes! Great to hear on a Monday!
This is something that I don’t lack of but I know more people have issues with it. It can be scary.
Yes, it can b e very scary taking certain types of decisions.
Love all those beautiful photos. The quotes are pretty great too, thank you so much for sharing them with us today.
I always find your posts to be quite wonderful. Your words always encourage me to get up, get out, and do more. Thanks!
I have some big dreams.. and i am starting to live them. We need courage in order to make our dream come true.. who else is going to act on them.
I feel the same way Robert. Some people think dreaming is foolish. It’s not even if you don’t act on all your dreams, it feeds your creativity.
Love the nelson Mandela quote!! Great post 🙂
I love these quotes. What a great way to end Monday!
Beautiful and inspiring. I’ve seen a lot of courage up close. Not so much inside me, but around me…
That is so true. I believe observing it also rubs off on us.
I really liked how you laid out your themes for Motivaition Mondays this month 🙂
Monday is a great day for motivation. Thanks 🙂
I love all of the photos. They are beautiful!
I love these quotes! You’ll have to come check out my weekly quote posts on Thursdays.
Great! First give me your opinion about the post.
Great quotes and the pictures are amazing!
I think this is a great idea and I know I would just suck at the forgiveness part. Just when I think I have it conquered…BOOM! I get all upset again. It’s truly a weekly/daily process forgiving someone
You do the best you can and offer the rest to the universe.
As you know, Eliz, I’ve dipped my toe in Social Media, but usually I pull it out very quickly again … overwhelm, overcommitment… This time I’ll do my best to keep it in. How I’ll do that? I don’t know – that’s probably for me to figure out.
My act of courage for this week is to find at least one new blog to follow, the daily step is to check out 3 new blogs per day. If I can deal with that, then maybe next week I’ll do the same. If I can still enjoy it, then I might even make it a “regular feature” 😉
Thank you! <3
Great start Maria! I do hope you hang in there. If you find that 3 is too much, revert to 1. It’s better to do what’s feasible and let the rest sit for a while. 🙂
Erm, yes, I think your advice is … spot on 🙂
Especially considering that I’ve done it again, that overcommitment/overwhelm thing … I’ve found 5 already…
Haha! Welcome to the club. I’m the same way and part of my effort at scaling back led me to hire a VA.
😀
I like how you’re focusing on a different theme each week. The courage quotes are quite wonderful!
Thank you Liz, they help me in many ways to focus and learn.
That quote speaks a lot. Mandela’s my inspiration.
That would be something very hard to do. Pack up and leave your family like that. You are courageous.
Very inspiring post! I think most of us can do with a little more courage to start chasing our dreams. It’s pretty sad how societal norms bind us down from young and we eventually throw out dreams after dreams from our backpacks to make space for academic achievement and then for a good paycheck.
I love reading your blog, its like you writing for me only! Very inspiring.
Thank you. I’m glad you make connections that mean something for you. Appreciated
I too love the mandela quote and I saw it the other day made me smile, we all need courage in so many things in our lives. Thanks for sharing this post
Those are such gorgeous and breathtaking pictures, especially the one of the steps at the Wakayama Castle Nishinomaru Garden. Simply beautiful!
HilLesha
Living everyday takes courage, especially for me because I love doing new things but am often afraid of failing. Failure is success in itself. I loved this article, very inspirational. Thanks!
Thank you for your inspiring post
What a great post. I know that moving away can be hard I know when I left to join the military it was scary and there was that element of fear of what was to come. It turned out to be an adventure of a life time and I am glad that I didn’t let fear hold me back.
Great post. It took a courage for me too moving from Asia to Europe, 10 years ago 😀 Big decision and never regret.
Courage … One thing that we really need in our lives but often neglected especially if we want the easy option. Thanks for the inspiration for today 🙂
Thank you Allen!
Gosh those are wonderful photos – outstanding! Thank you for the inspirational message.
Your quotes are as quotable as ever. Courage is rare virtue, especially when we will be in jeopardy. That photograph of the Himalayas by NASA in out of this world! – Fred
True. It’s easy to be courageous when the outcome is clear. When it’s not, that’s true grit.
Courage… hmmm… sometimes I think I have way too much of it, other times I totally seem to be lacking it. I need to work on it a bit more.
We all do. We can be courageous with the familiar. It’s the unknown that terrifies us.
I am always amazed by the people courageous enough to leave their home and move to a completely new country. It sounds so exciting but scary too.
Very, very scary. But you grit your teeth and leap…. an act of faith in the face of fear.
“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” Aristotle
Just the right quote I needed. Thanks for sharing these wonderful quotes. 😀
Thank you Raymond!
Reading this piece made me realize that I should take the challenge I am facing now despite the non-support of some friends.
Go for it Karen!
As others say, you do find the best quotes. I always admired Mandela. We so need people like him in our modern world. You haven’t contacted me yet about what it is you want me to do. I’m not sure if you are emailing me or writing on my Blog 🙂
Thank you Peter! I love Mandela too… we need more like him. I’ll email you. 🙂
Love the quotes! Courage always seems to find us when we need it the most.
Indeed it does…
I could’ve really used this quote about two months ago. It really speaks to me.
It’s never too late! 🙂
This is such a inspiring post. These are great words of wisdom.
Thank you Ann! 🙂
Nick Vujicik is amazing! I’ve always found his courage so motivating! And Nelson Mandela is another person I really admire.
Yes, thank you Joanne! They are both amazing souls.
I can always count on you to inspire me! Thanks for making my monday great.
Thank you! The sentiments are mutual.
Powerful and thought provoking. Courage is something that I’ve been summing all year. We’ve been thrust into a position where I had no choice but to suck it up and find the courage to make the best of it (after a couple of panic attacks); we are making the best of it and I never want to go back, the path ahead is so bright now that I smile every day, almost all day and look forward to the next. It’s amazing and I’m thankful every day to God for pushing us out of our comfort zone. I told you, you provoked a lot of thought 🙂
I’m glad you were able to push through the difficulty. Keep smiling.
Inspiring photos. I love this weeks theme. You need courage to do just about everything.
Quite true. Thank you! 🙂
These are all really powerful and makes one really think…thank you so much for doing the work to compile these and to share. Great post!
Thank you! I enjoyed your beautiful poem about the universe. It was full of wisdom.
That really means a lot to me…thank you! 🙂
Thank you too! 🙂 👍
Great read!
Very true, little steps each day will constitute a big step in the future.
Taking little steps everyday now!!
Me too! 🙂
I loved the inspirational videos that you have uploaded and all your words ring true. Courage needs to come from within 🙂
That is what we all need to remember. Thank you!
Such a great quote. I could do with some courage right now. One day at a time.
Yep. One day at a time…
I love the Tim Han video! Motivation is a gradual thing, I always have to build myself up to have the courage to big things…like booking flights for my backpacking adventure in Asia next year! It took me 6 months but then I finally bit the bullet and did it 🙂
Good for yout to finally take the leap and book your travels. Best wishes on your life changing adventures.
I love all the quotes! Courage is such a hard thing to have sometimes.
Great quotes, pictures and inspirational videos you shared here. We have to have courage to pursue our dreams. Getting started is the first step and without courage and faith we’ll never get there.
Thank you Risa! Your feedback is spot on. Faith and courage are key to our success.
Funny that I read this post today…I’ve been looking for the courage to go out on a limb and apply to this job that has caught my eye. That would mean I’d be pulling myself out of the comfort of working at home, and into the frying pan of working in a university setting.
Go for it Yona! You have nothing to lose.
I watched your video and loved it. Thanks for sharing it. Really puts things into perspective when you think how we are all going to die so live today like its your last because one day it will be.
Thank you Deanna. It is a strong reminder to move our feet.
Love the quotes and pictures you used. We packed up 6 yrs ago to move from Mass to Florida to start over. Things were not going good for us and we have to do a change over. Took a lot for us to do it but we had no choice.
Hopefully, the move was a change for the better… It is hard yet we find the strength to move forward.
You have found the motivation videos of motivation. Mr. Vujicic is the best motivational speaker I have ever heard, and it’s not because of his disabilities as far as I’m concerned. He has hit the nail on the head and when I saw his video when he was talking to all those school kids I was in awe. I had to watch in three times in a row it moved me so much. Your Post is also very moving, and highly informational. thanks for sharing.
Thank you too. He is a truly inspirational human being…
This is an awesome post indeed. I so love the Courage poster with the quote on it. Thanks so much for sharing.
I need this in my life as had such a bad week.
Join in! The more the merrier.
Again another great post and topic. I especially love the Motivational Minute #24 as I can sort of relate. Though I am a US native I moved from upstate NY to NYC almost 10 years ago without a clear path of what I wanted to pursue. That was surely courage to go into the unknown and try and I am glad I never had the will to give up.
I am not sure if my other comment posted. I had to sign in. Recap of my last comment
Another great post! I especially love the Motivational Minute #24 as I can sort of relate. After high school unlike my friends who went of to college I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to pursue. I moved from slow pace upstate NY to fast pace NYC. It took so much courage not to give up and run back home where I would feel some sort of comfortable. Courage pushed my through and I am a better person because of it.
Moving away from our comfort zone is a great way to learn how to navigate in the world. It teaches us to connect with other like minded souls too. 🙂
Love that quote by Nelson Mandela. He’s an inspiring and exceptional one! 🙂
Thanks Eliz for stopping at my blog. I also have read all of Nick Vicjuic and his books. Great motivational speaker. You have come such a long way in the years I have known you. I love your blog and the set up, looks like you made some changes, and I love it. Keep up the great work my friend ♥ Jackie
Thank you Jackie and we’ve both come a long way from those early days. You have great eye because yes, i changed my template to simplify things and get rid of all the busy stuff. I like it better now. Have a great week ahead!