Summary:
What is courage? The need for courage in human life
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” ― Winston S. Churchill
Courage is the need to or ability to do something difficult despite the risks. Courageous people don’t move forward because they have someone behind them. They just chose to move forward and do what they believe is the right thing, no matter any bad personal consequence.
Being courageous by being a student does not entail being fearless.Not feeling fear is a sign of an unhealthy brain. Students with courage recognise their fear and acknowledge it. They do not deny the existence of fear but have the strength to accept it and move on despite being afraid.
Courage is an individual’s ability to control his fear in a difficult or dangerous situation. It is a mental and moral strength to remain brave, confident, face the pain and do what they believe in. It is the stuff soldiers and leaders are made of. As a student, the fire or the light at the end of the tunnel is what keeps you warm during the storm.
The student who confronts his bully shows courage. Yes, he’ll get bullied nonetheless, but the bully is more likely to move on and not target him. A bully seeks fear and his victim’s courage deprives him of the illusion of control.
Students who have courage can overcome their fears .It takes guts to stand up for what you believe in. You might get beaten up or insulted for your show of strength, but you’ve ultimately faced your fear.
Henceforth, the same fear will have no dominion over you. Facing fear is how one gets rid of fear and courage is the magic potion that emboldens you as a student.
Subedar Joginder Singh (PVC) fought and died for the country during the Indo-China war of 1962. The fierce battle at Tongpen La, near Bum La, Tawang was of unequal proportions. Inferior weapons and ammunition shortage on the Indian side faced the superior weapons and a larger number of troops from the Chinese side. But this did not deter Subedar Singh from doing his duty and embodying a rear display of courage.
Despite being badly hurt, he kept encouraging his soldiers to fight for more than the last round. Armed with nothing but bayonets and shouting the Sikh battle cry, “Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akaal” they fell upon the Chinese invasion. Inspired by his courage and bravery, the last remaining members of the platoon ended up fighting the invading Chinese forces.
Death and fear were all around but courage and duty outlasted them all. For his devotion to duty and inspiring leadership and bravery of the highest order, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Later, the Chinese returned his ashes as a mark of respect to the brave soldier. No tribute can be greater than an avowal of valor by the enemy.
Yes, not everyone can become a regular soldier and achieve great feats of courage. But every battle has its fear and the need for courage to face them. Becoming courageous is more of a habit. Being a student is all about stepping outside of our comfort zones. We students are sure to encounter at least one situation in our everyday life where we might have utilized a little more guts.
It could be as silly as wanting to take a selfie or a photo of something but not doing so wondering what someone else might think. However, as Robert Frost said, “The best way out is through.” So take that photo and face that fear, for once done, it shall not haunt you again. Similar to this, there are various more simple actions a student can take to increase their courage. Fear becomes strength and experience when you face them.
Here are some of the little steps one can take to become more courageous and improve one’s personality.
- Be honest with yourself and others
- Apologise if you’ve hurt someone
- Ask for help
- Forgive someone
- Believe in yourself
- Walk away from negativity and gossip
- Follow your heart
- Start something new
- Go on a trip
- Start a conversation with a stranger