Courage is not the absence of fear
Instead, walk directly into your fears.
With your values as your guide.
Towards what matters to you.
Courage is not the absence of fear.
Courage is fear walking.”
From time to time, we are called to do something that is way outside of our comfort zone. Something we have never done before, that might not work, or carries a risk. The Covid-19 pandemic has all of us doing something we have never done before. Something we are walking directly into. Something requiring courage.
Courage is a noble word but the act can feel disruptive, and worse, terrifying. When we feel scared, our bodies want to hide, run away, or fight. This reaction, mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, is a pre-programmed warning to ensure survival and is counterbalanced by the ‘thriving’ parasympathetic nervous system. Balancing these two systems is critical to surviving AND thriving. Knowing when to heed the survival instincts and when to act despite their presence is what being alive is all about.
Many health care workers and front-line service people are now being asked to take on roles that are exposing them to a high risk of illness, even death. Some have not functioned in these critical roles for many years. Even if they are comfortable with the technical aspects, their jobs now carry a new risk. They are outside of their comfort zones and they are scared. And yet, they are volunteering their skills, showing up, and ready to do the work. For many, it is out of necessity for a paycheck. For others, there’s honoring the commitment they made when they became a physician. They are acting in line with their purpose and honoring their values of service and healing.
How do we know when to walk directly into our fears? Here are ten considerations I took into account recently as I deliberated whether to take an action associated with risk:
- Do I have the basic skills to accomplish this task/action/role?
- What are the real risks? For example: Do I have the tools to do this as safely as possible?
- Does doing this bring me closer to what matters to me?
- Is it aligned with my values and life purpose?
- Will I be serving others in the way I want to serve?
- Will it enhance my connection with myself and with others?
- Will I grow towards my goals?
- Can I accept that it might be messy and I can’t control the outcome?
- What does my intuition say?
- How will I feel if I don’t take action?
What factors do you consider when you are asked to do something that carries risk to you or to your loved ones? When do you heed the warning and when do you do it scared?