In our modern world, fear often arises in response to perceived threats that aren’t necessarily immediate or life-threatening. It’s all the over-thinking, the anxiety that keeps you up at night, the playing over past events until you’re sick in the stomach. I’m no newbie when it comes to the game of mind-fuckery. And that’s really what it is. A fucking-mind-fuck. And the longer you’ve been playing the game, the more tempting it is to play. So don’t worry about coming to the table with a lifelong list of past mistakes. I’m right there with you, girl. It’s a good thing that courage is a quality that allows us to face our fears and and navigate through them - whatever the fear may be!

Courage plays a pivotal role in our human journey of moving from a place of fear to freedom within ourselves. In many wyas, it is an integral part of our evolutionary makeup designed to help us respond to immediate dangers and threats. Fear is a primary frequency of awareness. So how can our fear spark a deeper form of self-reflection and awareness of how we are navigating our lives based on where we resonate? Are we focused on what’s just not working? Do we see the gifts and opportunities in challenges? Do we react in defense to obstacles or respond from a place of body-led confidence?

Maybe you’ve been struggling with a fear of failure, rejection, uncertainty, or even a fear of fulfilling your purpose! Whatever it is, embrace it. This is your fear to face. And your inner warrior is with you every step of the way.

Here are five positive effects that courage contributes to our process of living at harmony within ourselves:

1. Moving Forward - Courage pushes us to confront our fears instead of avoiding them. This doesn’t mean the fear disappears, but with courage we’re able to act despite the fear.

2. Growth and Development - Each time we face a fear, we are provided with an opportunity to grow and develop. Every Shadow reveals a Gift. Our courage allows us to take on these opportunities - to rise to the challenge and meet the Universe in receiving what we’ve asked for in our persistence to navigate the tasks that will take us from where we are to where we want to be. It allows us to step our of our comfort zone, and to take healthy risks which lead to personal and professional growth.

3. Resilience - Courage builds resilience. By repeatedly facing what we’re afraid of, we develop a strength of character and an ability to bounce back from adversity, which is a vital life skill.

4. Self-confidence - Each act of courage, however small, can build our confidence. The knowledge that we have faced our fears and emerged victorious can be a significant confidence booster. This is supported by our ability to make decisions that support our energy dynamics so we compound on that confidence rather than the confusion.

5. Freedom - When we let fear control our actions, we limit our lives. Courage gives us the freedom to live fully, to experience new things and to strive for our goals without being held back by aspects of ourselves that just need a little more love and attention to transform from dull and stagnant to radiant and useful.

Courage is not something we bring in with us at birth. It’s something we cultivate. Embracing our inner courage allows us to live fuller, more authentic lives without feeling dominated by fear when it arises. We can see fear as a vital force for heightening our own awareness, an opportunity in the moment to develop more strength and resilience. Our fears can finally serve as a healthy catalyst for growth.