A New Way to Define Courage

Rethinking Courage: What It Really Means to Be Brave

Let’s talk about courage.

We’ve all heard what it’s *supposed* to look like — running into burning buildings, standing up to danger, or facing impossible odds without flinching. But what if courage isn’t just about those big, dramatic moments?

What if it’s about *you* — the quiet, everyday kind of courage that doesn’t make headlines but still changes everything?

This blog is about rethinking what courage means, and maybe helping you see that you’re already braver than you think.

How We’ve Been Taught to See Courage

Somewhere along the way, society decided that courage means facing danger head-on. It’s how we’ve been conditioned to see it — through stories, movies, and even the news.

Think about it for a second:

* Did your parents tell you bedtime stories about heroes defeating villains?

* Do you have a favorite superhero who always saves the day?

* Have you watched news stories about people rescuing others from fires or disasters?

* And don’t we all stand and applaud veterans during parades?

Now, don’t get me wrong — those people *are* courageous. Veterans, firefighters, first responders — they deserve every bit of honor and respect.

But here’s the thing: we’ve been so focused on *their* courage that we often forget about our own.

We’ve learned to measure bravery by society’s standards, and that can make the courage in our everyday lives feel small — even though it’s not.

The Everyday Kind of Courage

I love superheroes. Watching them face the impossible is exciting — good versus evil, the struggle, the victory. But real life doesn’t always look like that, does it?

Since we were kids, we’ve been taught that courage means standing tall in the face of fear, never backing down, and pushing through pain. And while that’s true in some cases, I think it’s also too narrow.

Why can’t courage mean something simpler, something personal — something that only "you" can define?

Here’s how I’d describe it if I could rewrite the dictionary:

> Courage: Any act that brings you closer to a version of yourself you once thought impossible. Anything that takes all your personal energy to do — defined by you, and no one else.

To me, courage isn’t about applause or approval. It’s about the effort it takes to keep showing up for your own life.

Small Steps Count

If all you can do today is get out of bed and brush your hair — that’s courage.

If making yourself a meal feels like a victory — that’s courage too.

Courage isn’t about doing the impossible. It’s about doing something when everything feels hard.

There’s no scoreboard. No universal standard. You define what being brave looks like in your own story.

When Life Feels Heavy

Maybe you’re going through a divorce. Maybe you’re job hunting while raising kids. Maybe some days you can barely get yourself motivated to take a shower. Or maybe you have dogs and it has been two months since you have taken them on a walk or to the dog park

You might feel like you’re failing — but you’re not. You’re surviving! And that takes COURAGE!

When you do accept your thoughts are there and get help from a friend, loved one or a therapist AND - each time you do get out of bed, do take a shower, do make a meal, do take your dog on a walk, do reach out for help — that’s courage. Those moments matter!

People might say things like, “That’s life, you just have to deal with it.” But they don’t see what it takes for you to simply get up and try again. When you might be saying to yourself, "What's the point? I am just too tired." If you are in danger of not caring for yourself and a risk of self harm is rising, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital for an evaluation.

Your Courage, Your Pace

You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to look perfect. You just have to take small steps each day.

If today all you did was eat something and rest, that’s okay.

If tomorrow you take the kids to school, that’s progress.

If next week you find the energy to cook or clean, celebrate that.

There’s no deadline for becoming who you want to be. Just keep moving, one small act of courage at a time.

You Define Courage

Only you know how much strength it takes to live your life. Only you know the effort behind each choice you make.

So be gentle with yourself. Acknowledge your courage — even the quiet kind. Especially the quiet kind.

You don’t have to be a superhero to be brave. You just have to be *you*.

So tell me — how do you define courage?

What did you do today that took strength?

And what small step could you take tomorrow?

What can you do and likely are already doing that tells you that you DO have the courage to challenge life?