While we know that reflection is a powerful tool for learning, increasing self-awareness, sense-making and more, we often don’t take the time to reflect … as this may take courage.  Nonetheless, a reflection exercise for you. 

Think of a recent experience in which you demonstrated courage.  This may be in the workplace, at home, while out socialising, exercising, engaging in a hobby, or elsewhere. It is an experience of which you are proud. 

• What was this experience?
• What and who enabled you to be courageous?
• What was it about you that made this courageous act possible?
• What was the outcome?
• What do you most value about this experience?
• What did you learn?
• In addition to proud, how else did this experience make you feel?
• As you reflect on your own story of courage, savour this experience; through this experience, remind yourself that you are already courageous.

If you would like to share your story, we’re keen to listen. 

I became keenly interested in the virtue of courage while working on a university group assignment with Judy Hilton, Jeldai King, Roz Rimes and Jayne West.  I am truly grateful to have explored courage with them, to have learnt from and with them.

References: 

Biswas-Diener, R. H. (2012).  The courage quotient.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass.

Lopez, S. J., Rasmussen, H. N., Skorupski, W. P., Koetting, K., Petersen, S. E., & Yang, Y.-T. (2010).  Folk conceptualizations of courage.  In C. Pury, & S. J. Lopez (Eds.) The Psychology of courage: Modern research on an ancient virtue (pp. 23-45).  Washington DC, US: American Psychological Association.

Peterson, C. & Seligman, M.E.P (2004).  Character strengths and virtues – A handbook and classification.  New York: Oxford University Press.

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