Courage

Courage is a necessity to overcome fears and achieve a desired goal. Fear is something that exists in all of us. There is no hero or any particular courageous figure that is without fear. Being fearless is not required to be courageous, one simply has to look past or overcome their fears to possess this great quality. When overcoming fears and going against the norm, there are always risks involved. There are different types of risks that come about. Someone could risk life or limb, while others risk their reputation. Either risk is serious enough that a person must have courage to endure that particular risk. Courage can occur anytime, anywhere, and often in our everyday lives. Everyone will experience courage no matter how young, old, wise, or foolish. The effects of courage may not always be positive, but they are definitely remembered.

Overcoming fears when the odds are against you is a requirement for courage. If you feel afraid to do something but you still do it, you are courageous. Gandhi spoke courageously by standing up in the face of violence. He said, "Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind." (286); this is a statement that many would find naïve, but Gandhi went against the norm, and that is something that is courageous in itself. Courage is doing what you believe in despite the odds that may be against you, and this is exactly what Gandhi did. Overcoming your fears and standing up for what you believe in is an important aspect of courage. In the story "My People Will Never Believe Me Again," Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins describes a young Indian woman who works for the United States military as a translator. Throughout the story, Sarah takes orders from the military men despit...

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...here, cold in regulation clothes. We know the sheriff's waiting at midrun to take us back."(361-62) It is evident that this girl is somewhat foolish in her ways, but nevertheless still courageous. She knows that there is no chance of escaping, but she still endures the pain of running away.

Courage isn't a simple thing to define with words. More or less the definition of courage is one that is ever changing with the actions of courage that are taken everyday. Be fearful and overcome. Be selfless. Don't step down because there are great risks involved. Do these things and you can be courageous, but these actions are only the foundation for what courage is yet to become. There is potential for courage in anyone's life. You don't have to be famous or be in the spotlight to be courageous. Courage is very important, and the more you use it, the stronger you'll be.