Resolve
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In the realm of ideas, everything depends on enthusiasm; in the real world, all rests on perseverance.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe / writer, scientist, philosopher, painter, politician / 1749–1832
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Valor
Does valor or bravery mean that you have no fear? On the contrary, valor is simply a constructive choice when faced with fear, a choice to remain positive and confident and to do the right thing despite doubts, worries, or feelings of anxiety. No one can escape the wrath of fear, as it’s a part of being human; however, each individual chooses how to react when presented with fear. That choice may not be a conscious reaction, but if you remain mindful and objective when faced with adversity, then you can observe your thoughts and feelings and gauge their validity. Such a detached approach is helpful in stressful situations because it will enable you to measure the fear, gain perspective, and then interpret the present threat as a challenge. That type of change in perception can eradicate the negative effects of stress, strengthen your mind and body, and allow you to cope and excel. Key elements of valor include honor and integrity. Such depth of character is often required to do what is right or moral in life, as obstacles arise frequently, whether they are conflicts with others who have different priorities or inner demons stemming from personal insecurities, for example. Regardless of the difficulty, choosing that which is right for yourself and others will lead to inner peace, which is extremely gratifying. It also serves as a foundation for happiness.
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The Latin writer Publilius Syrus said, “Valor grows by daring, fear by holding back.” To build courage and excel, you must take positive or constructive action. That doesn’t include rash behavior but rather objective, strategic actions based on ideals that will contribute toward your goals. Action will not only yield results but also provide new insights that would otherwise be absent. Another way to enhance your bravery is to maintain an open mind, particularly when presented with issues you don’t fully understand. This will allow you to learn and adapt more quickly and to enable you to more readily spot opportunities as they arise. It will also help you refrain from judgment, which is a lure of fear. At times, strange situations, different people, or odd things may appear ridiculous or wrong, but if you succumb to fear and close your mind to these, then you forfeit the opportunity to learn and risk missing out on other potential benefits. Finally, choose to do what is right, even with minor issues. No matter how small an act of virtue, the repercussions of such behavior will be both positive and significant for yourself and those around you.
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A classic example of valor is the plight of the Italian scientist Galileo, a brilliant astronomer, mathematician, and physicist. He made many important discoveries, but he’s often remembered for his work that confirmed the heliocentric theories of the Polish astronomer Copernicus. Copernicus has been credited with the introduction of a system that identified the sun as a motionless body in the center of our solar system, around which all the planets revolve. This contradicted the popular Ptolemaic system introduced by the second-century astronomer Ptolemaeus, which stated that the earth was a motionless body at the center of the universe and all celestial bodies revolved around it. Galileo’s outspoken findings, which supported Copernicus’s theory, upset many in European society, including members of the church. In 1633, Galileo was brought before the Inquisition in Rome and forced to renounce his beliefs supporting the Copernican system. He was also placed under house arrest for life. Galileo’s plight marked turning points of change in the scientific and philosophical communities that eventually led to other great discoveries and advances. If skeptics had been more open to these new concepts, then the progression of thought and discovery would have been even more rapid, and Galileo would not have been tormented for his efforts to unveil the truth. Regardless, his valor changed the world and helped society evolve as a result.
Gratitude
Cicero, the Roman politician and writer from first century BC, stated, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Simply by acting grateful, we can lift the spirits of others while improving the quality of our own lives. To facilitate gratitude, you can consider all that for which you have to be grateful and write it down. You can then review that list each week and update it from time to time as you become aware of the added benefits in your life. Even if you’re faced with challenges in certain areas, realize that things could be worse. Also remember that you’re not dead yet, so you might as well make the most of this experience. No one knows for certain what exactly lies beyond death; however, our time is clearly limited here. You can savor life if you maintain an open mind, adapt to change, learn from your experiences, enjoy all that you can in each moment, and help others along the way. This approach will allow you to make the most of your time here and ensure that you are well positioned for whatever lies ahead.
Maintaining a list of reasons to be grateful will help with those aforementioned endeavors. To start, consider what reasons you may have to be grateful. Examples might include your current state of health, mental acuity, emotional maturity, uncanny instincts, common sense, optimism, courage, contentment, compassion, food, shelter, family, friends, prosperity, employment, diversity, opportunity, your environment, life itself, and so on. Areas of your life that seem problematic and don’t happen to fit on this list might be ideal candidates for your goals. In any event, to improve your outlook and gain better perspective on things in general, simply express gratitude whenever the opportunity arises. Also take a moment to fill a page detailing the good things in your life, and review that list from time to time. This simple practice will enhance your ability to experience and express gratitude and thereby improve your quality of life.
Resilience
As Goethe suggested, enthusiasm will carry us far in the realm of ideas, but perseverance is what’s needed in the real world. This means that in order to excel in life, we must make a commitment to that which is important to us and then have the fortitude to see it through. This thought is captured in the expression that several people have coined throughout history: if something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing well. If you commit to a task, then it’s typically best to give it your full attention and see it through. With that said, it’s important to review goals and assess progress on a regular basis, and if necessary, then change your course if a particular pursuit becomes undesirable or too costly. If you believe you’re on the right path, however, then don’t give up or allow yourself to become distracted. When obstacles do arise, remain determined, and find ways to tackle them or circumvent them. Get excited about achieving your goal, and don’t let anything hold you back, even failure.
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Failure can actually be a tremendous learning experience. Don’t let it get you down. If you believe you’re on the right path, then take from it what you can, refocus, and press on. Even if you decide to change course, remain positive about the previous experience, and adapt accordingly. Abraham Lincoln exemplified resilience throughout his career. Despite the fact that he repeatedly lost numerous jobs and elections over the years, he learned from his experiences, found other ways to excel, and continued to pursue that which he valued. In the end, of course, he was elected president of the United States, and he accomplished a great deal, demonstrating the value of unrelenting perseverance. You can do great things with your life as well if desired. Simply identify what’s important to you, determine how to achieve it, and then work toward your goals with a singular, unrelenting focus. Don’t be surprised by obstacles; deal with them as they arise. Also learn from your mistakes, as well as the experience of others, and don’t give up if you believe you’re on the right track.
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