When we hear the word 'courage,' we often think of firefighters running into burning buildings or soldiers on the battlefield. While these acts are certainly courageous, true courage encompasses much more.
Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act despite it. It's the single parent working two jobs to provide for their children. It's the student who raises their hand to ask a question when they're unsure. It's the person who speaks up against injustice in a room full of silent people.
Courage can be physical, moral, or emotional. It requires vulnerability and often involves risk—not necessarily of physical harm, but of rejection, failure, or embarrassment. Ultimately, courage is a choice. Every day, ordinary people make the choice to face their fears, stand by their values, and push through discomfort. That is the truest definition of courage.
