I was walking down the road this morning & different thoughts, ideas, scenarios kept flashing across my mind. I was thinking about my family, wife, son, mentors, friends, work, in-laws etc. After so many thoughts, i came up with this topic ‘True courage is fighting/facing your battles gallantly’
What is courage? It is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty or intimidation. Life has its struggles & battles but it’s how we live life that counts. If i were to take a poll of the struggles we all face i am sure the list will be endless, from loss of a loved one, broken homes, marriages, financial security, health, job search, education, parental conflicts, sibling rivalry, business decisions/risks, relationships, etc. What do we do in our day to day runnings of life?
Some battles are self induced based on the mistakes we’ve made, careless decisions we’ve taken, etc while others are just a phase of life we must go through. It could take a huge toll on us, make us weak, make us vulnerable, redefine our thinking, and make us strong, determined, live life with a focus/goal depending on how you face it. Even if your dilemma is caused by mistakes you have made true courage is facing it gallantly. It could come in varied forms but the courage to stay on top is what’s needed.
Life is a warzone & it’s only the strong that survive & move forward. It takes determination, constant discipline, passion, focus, sound direction etc to live a life of excellence worthy of emulation. In all this there is an underlying grace that comes from God. Our battles/challenges in life shapen us positively/negatively. They also affect us physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, morally, etc. The end results of all life’s challenges should be victory & satisfaction on the premise that you faced it fair & square. Cowards are people who are easily discouraged & they have a lot to learn because storms will always come in various magnitudes.
Battles are not worn sitting down folding our arms thinking it will fade away, someone will help/deliver us etc they are won by delving into the heat of the crisis, being determined, taking the right steps to succeed, getting the right counsel, surrounding oneself with positive/challenging people, the right materials that will aid your taking prompt action. Can a woman/man suffering from a broken marriage leave his/her children to despair? Nooooo!!!. He/She has to be there for the children, build a better & bright future, try as much as possible to reach a point of reconciliation & if it’s not possible get occupied with positive priorities. Can a jobless man earn money? No way!!! He has got to look for a job to earn money to be a responsible, father, husband, son etc.
Can a man/woman aspiring to get married sit down & wait for someone to fall from the skies, rather polish up on the character, be attractive, learn to cook, communicate properly, be responsible, stay faithful? It won’t work. Whatever it is you have to take action. There is always one step to be taken and yields several steps.
My question today is what are doing about life’s struggles/battles? Are you exhibiting true courage by fighting gallantly? What are you doing??? What are your strategies? Can you answer these questions??
Can we face reality when something we treasure is no longer at our disposal, can we face our fears, struggles, and challenges with dignity, can we stand up with our heads raised high? This is a man who has answered yes to all my questions. How has he done it? I am yet to get more answers, but trust me i will be getting them.
From a bit of my experience, i submit the following tips to gathering true courage to face life’s struggles/battles.
• Be decided on the subject. (Ensure you have considered your next line of action properly)
• Show some determination to win & excel above its challenges.
• Be positive & surround yourself with positive people (those who trigger bright sparks in your life)
• Deal with each situation one step at a time.
• Take things easy. Learn to understand we are given one day at a time.
• Understand the values of prayer & it should never be undermined.
• Get enough rest always. Avoid worrying to much it only causes fear depression and insomnia.
• Occupy yourself with things that bring out the best in you i.e. family, children,freinds, travelling, reading etc
• Have clear focus/goals.
• If your current struggles are based on mistakes of the past, shake it off & look at ways of avoiding future mistakes.
• Avoid a consolation party, it aids vulnerability & you end up being a victim.
• Be confident; be proud of what you do.
• Learn to be appreciative/thankful of what you have, whatever good comes your way, people around you etc.
• Learn to enjoy the good sides of life & enjoy it to the fullest.
I ask again ‘will you find hope and show true courage facing life’s struggles or battles?’
Ayo Olaniyan is a Counsellor and Life Coach.
He is an accredited professional counsellor with the Counselling Society United Kingdom, a member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and the author of Expanding Your Horizons.
If you would like to enquire about personal and professional one-to-one coaching sessions,please visit http://discoveringpurpose.co.uk or send an email to ayo@discoveringpurpose.co.uk.
Remember, it's about creating a purpose driven life through personal development.