<a href="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/courage-2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5269" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/courage-2.jpg?w=225" alt="courage-2" width="225" height="300" /></a>Courage -- confronting a difficult, frightening, painful, or disturbing situation when our first instinctive reaction is to flee.

The word <em>courage</em> comes from <em>root cour or coeur</em>, which is French for heart. The essence of courage lies in our heart.

We find courage portrayed everywhere – in the Bible, in fairy tales, in books, in movies, in the news.

Courage is depicted as physical bravery, but being courageous also encompasses much more than physical strength and endurance. Courage involves mental stamina and innovation too.

<a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201208/the-six-attributes-courage">Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D.</a>, identifies six different ways we are courageous.
<ol>
	<li>Feeling Fear Yet Choosing to Act</li>
	<li>Following Your Heart</li>
	<li>Persevering in the Face of Adversity</li>
	<li>Standing Up For What Is Right</li>
	<li>Expanding Your Horizons; Letting Go of the Familiar</li>
	<li>Facing Suffering With Dignity or Faith</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cowardly-lion.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-5271" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/cowardly-lion.jpg" alt="cowardly lion" width="230" height="165" /></a>The Cowardly Lion in the classic film The Wizard of Oz learned courage must ultimately come from within.

If you find yourself confronted with a difficult, frightening, painful, or disturbing situation or you feel threatened, weak, vulnerable, intimidated, or terrified, call forth your inner COURAGE.

And remember what Mark Twain says:

<em>“It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog."</em>