The Nature of Courage

Recently someone told me that I had a lot of courage. This surprised me; I have not ever considered myself a particularly courageous person. But as I pondered this compliment, I realized that I truly have been able to incorporate into my life something I value greatly: personal courage.

I have pondered this concept for years, intending to write about it, but I have never applied it to the things that I do, myself. I think personal courage is an exemplary virtue, and it is largely unsung. We honor military heroes, for instance, who throw themselves on a live grenade, sacrificing their own lives to save those of their comrades. This is an example of tremendous courage, but the truth is that very few of us will be called upon to make such a supreme sacrifice.

Personal courage, however, is smaller but more common, persistent acts that come to define a person's character. For example, the personal courage of the individual who daily struggles with a handicap and manages to rise above self-pity to live a productive life is very seldom remarked upon. The courage to do something unpleasant, such as bravely and honestly confront a co-worker with a problem, or apologize when one has been wrong, are examples seldom seen any more. This kind of courage is not a defiant, in-your-face arrogance, but instead the determination to calmly, sometimes quietly, seek and confront the truth about something or someone--even oneself--no matter how threatening or distasteful, and to conquer that problem. Personal courage takes great strength of character.

It takes courage to do what one knows is right, regardless of the disapproval of others. I went off to college barely knowing only a couple of souls on that huge campus. I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 35 years ago, even though I knew my father did not approve of my choice. To this day I am an active member, and my sister joined the Church as well. My husband became a convert to the Church after we met. Now my family all live in Utah, and my sister and I have raised five children, three of whom were married in Mormon temples. My son has served a mission. The entire course of my family's life has changed because of my willingness to make the courageous choice to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, including the ancestors of both my husband and me, whose temple work we have done.

My life is not easy all the time. I have heartaches, regrets, and fears with which I must live every day, as do we all. I have had many failures, and many embarrassments--more than most people, because I do have the courage to get out there and take my chances. I have tried to instill this virtue in my children, as well.

I don't know what made me this way; I think a lot of it was just a part of my personality from the start, but it's also something I developed without really thinking about it, simply by trying to do the right thing regardless of the consequences, every single day. I don't think it makes me better than other people, and I don't think I've been somehow singled out by God for some special blessing. But I know that I am courageous, and I am grateful to be that way, and I know the Lord will sustain me as I try to serve Him.