We have no greater enemy than fear. It hems us in, sucks out the joy of life, and leaves us with disgust for ourselves. Nothing of importance can be undertaken or achieved without facing, challenging and finally mastering, fear. If it takes courage to attempt or accomplish things of real merit, it takes even more to be what we truly are.

Fredrich Nietzche described a threefold process in the maturation of consciousness. He said that in the first stage, we are like a camel bending down to have hoisted upon us the load of social conditioning, habit and conversation.

In the second stage, we are like the lion roaring against the "thou shalts" of society.

Only after we have completed the work of the lion do we become more like the child which is to say a fully human being, capable of spontaneously, intuitively and competently responding to the world. The courage of the lion is the courage to find your own path in life. It requires that you examine the conventions, ideals and programme of society, as well as the habits and routines you have unconsciously accumulated, and determine for yourself what to expect and what to reject.

The measure of our courage is reflected in the vision of life we choose and in how much it takes for us to become discouraged. Too often we think of ourselves as weak candles that can be blown out by the slightest wind of frustration or disappointment. How much better to say, 'I will become a bonfire and dare to put me out.'

From the book Zen Soup

I have the courage to:
Embrace my strengths
Get excited about life
Enjoy giving and receiving love
Face and transform my fears
Ask for help and support when I need it
Spring free from the "Superperson" trap
Trust myself
Complete unfinished business
Make my own decisions and choices
Befriend myself
Realise that I have emotional and practical needs and rights
Communicate lovingly with understanding as my goal
Honour my own needs
Love the child in myself
Give myself credit for my own accomplishments
Overcome my addiction to approval
Grant myself permission to play
Quit being a responsibility sponge
Feel all my feelings and act on them appropriately
Nurture others because I want to, not because I have to
Choose what is right for me
Set boundaries and limits and stick to them
Say 'YES’ only when I really mean it
Have realistic expectations
Take risks and accept change
Grow through challenges
Be totally honest with myself
Respect my vulnerabilities
Heal old and current wounds
Wave goodbye to guilt
Own my own excellence
Plant flower not weed thoughts in my mind
Treat myself with respect, and teach others to do the same
Fill my own cup first, then nourish others from the overflow
Plan for the future but live in the present
Know that I am loveable
Develop healthy supportive relationships
Make forgiveness a priority
Accept myself just as I am now…

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