Courage

I was talking to someone close on the phone to rather late recently, and i was kinda asking her what she felt being brave truly meant.
I don't know about you guys, but i used to feel that being brave was to do things that other people wouldnt dare, to step forward when others would shy away. Well, it's not like i suddenly feel that these characteristics fail to define bravery any more... but now i really realise that these are merely superficial signs of courage. They hint and suggest boldness the same way age translates to experience and school grades tell of intelligence. To be to the point, they don't really matter and arent very accurate.
Someone asked me if i would consider someone who tempts fate every so often By pulling off life defying stunts brave.Well, 2 years ago, i would have doubtlessly replied yes. But now, i'm not so certain at all. It all depends on the individual really, because if the person in question has already given up on life. Then he isn't brave, he simply dosent care.
In the same light, i've always been considered brave and daring by many of my peers, never afraid to speak my mind, to do things differently. And i wonder now if it's that can be considered courage in any form at all, because i suspect that i'm simply showing a total disregard to what others think and feel. I'm a wimp when i deal with what really matters to me i guess.
i found this piece a long time ago and i read it quite often to remind myself to be strong.




Taking Risks
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk being called sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self
To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naïve
To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair and To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken,The greatest risk in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing... does nothing, has nothing, and becomes nothing
He may avoid suffering and sorrow But he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and lives Chained by his servitude, he is a slave He has forfeited his freedom
Only the person who risks is truly free.







Bravery to me is the ability to carry on and preservere even when someone is really scared deep down, knowing that there is all to lose and little to gain.
Someone who keeps going without denying his inner fears and insecurities is truly couragous.