Courage. A word often associated with soldiers; describing someone facing a difficult mental or physical task; synonymous with bravery and valor. A good word to describe all of those situations. Incidentally, the root of the word courage is the Latin cor, meaning heart.
There is another definition for this word; an obsolete definition. In this definition "Courage" means the heart as a source of emotion; compassion, empathy, spirit. This courage is a matter of speaking, feeling and living what's in one's heart.
Couldn't we all stand to do a little more of this? Living through our hearts. Of course, this is a much more vulnerable way to live life. It will allow one to feel more; more of everything.
This means exposing yourself to criticism, ridicule and fear. It also means being true to one's self; accepting who you and others are and embracing that.
Living life with courage, or heart, is a full life; a more satisfying life in the end. It means truly experiencing empathy and compassion for others. It is an all encompassing emotion.
Few of us can actually live life in this way. Most of us let other trivial things block the vessels leading in and out of our hearts. Most of us can't handle the depths of feeling that living with courage requires.
To live with this "obsolete" courage, one must be willing and able to tap into his or her very core {which coincidentally is also from the Latin word cor meaning heart} and allow those emotions and thoughts to flow through. Imagine the possibilities that opening up one's heart and emotions holds for each of us.
Why has courage lost this meaning and been replaced with the definition of mental or moral resilience to face danger, difficulties, adverse circumstances and fear? Perhaps it was because over time the vulnerability from living through our hearts became too much to bear and those who showed mental and physical strength in sealing off those emotions and forging ahead no matter what began to be revered for their fortitude. And as the years bore down on us, the human race relied upon shutting off the emotions more and more to make it through each day.
I would argue that this is no way to live; I advocate for this "obsolete" courage; this complete feeling; this deep spirit. We must embrace our inner strength by expressing our hearts' inclinations; we must wear our hearts on our sleeves; openly showing the colors of our hearts. And really, a person does have to be brave to live a life that exposes what's in his or her heart. Are you willing to try living life with this "obsolete" courage? Over and out...
Anna
Beautiful....
Posted by: Crayon Wrangler | Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 04:27 PM