Courage

“Listen with the ear of the heart” - the opening words from one of the great classics of Christian spirituality, The Rule of Saint Benedict, challenges us to spend time in reflection. We cannot listen if we are not still.  We certainly cannot hear the whisperings of our heart if we are not still. These words invite us to discover truth, beauty and goodness. They also invite us to reflect on how we are called to live each day in the light of the gospel.  

In today’s world, we are faced with conflicting ideas which try to make us believe that we are not enough for so many reasons – good enough, smart enough, pretty/handsome enough, happy enough, daring enough, (insert your own) enough.  We only have to look to social media and/or advertisements to see this. Therefore, courage is often seen as something for others or the unattainable because the fear of not being enough holds us back. Simply because courage is often associated with having no fear.

American research professor Brené Brown says “Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor - the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant "To speak one's mind by telling all one's heart."

If we take the Rule of Saint Benedict, when we “Listen with the ear of the heart” and Brené's, “speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart” we have a new lens through which to look. This is courage and it is about honesty, integrity and authenticity. If we are honest with ourselves and the world around us, then those things that touch and guide our heart are the things we can and indeed should be courageous about. It is all about listening and speaking out.