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The Brave Spirit
Learning to accept fear and build courage
Many interpret courage as being this god-like ability to live life without fear. That those who take bold action are somehow immune from fear and instead are made of steel.
But the fact is, fear is naturally wired into each of us as a survival mechanism. We all face it and it is a part of daily living.
The difference between those who appear fearless and the rest of us is that people who appear fearless have made the bold choice to face their fear head on.
The Stoics, for example, were not some unfeeling individuals who just had unshakeable courage. On the contrary, Cato was a soldier who participated in countless battle and was nearly killed himself.
Marcus Aurelius was the Roman Emperor and had to constantly worry about individuals backstabbing him or attempting to even kill him.
Cleanthes, the second head of the Stoic school, was a boxer and likely faced fear every time he came up against an opponent.
Seneca lived under the rule of Nero and therefore never knew what could come his way, eventually paying with his life.
The point is it is that each of these individual faces fear in their lives and still proceeded in their duties. Everyone has to face fear at one point…
