When I share Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory with early childhood educators a light bulb moment often happens. Rather than seeing intelligence narrowly as IQ tests and factual knowledge, suddenly they realize that children’s learning is much broader. Some learn best while their bodies are moving, others through music or language. The social butterflies in the classroom learn effectively in connection with others, while some children prefer space to think alone. Nature, maths, or science may be a stimulus for knowledge gathering.
Educators learn to accommodate all types of learners in their classroom. It is an enlightening way to think about intelligence.
Recently I have come across a similar multiple perspective – this time around the concept of courage. It really resonated with me. The most common way we look at courage is as a form of masculine outward bravery. Think superheroes on a battlefield or fighting an inferno. Yet there are also other ‘softer’ forms of courage that are worthy to explore. Each one strengthens particular human traits we are aiming for in our lives. They also take us out of our comfort zone and strengthen our character.
Physical Courage: To have the resilience to continue moving forward in life. The ability to be brave. To persevere when the going gets tough and it would be easier to just give up. Physical courage is also seen as staying rooted in the present moment. To listen and share deeply in our interactions with others. To focus on The Now as Eckhart Tolle would say, as that is really the only moment we exist in. It’s being able to achieve balance between our busy lives and sitting in stillness, observant and aware of what is going on around us. Courage as a skill to practice every day.
Social Courage: To be ourselves in an authentic and unapologetic way. The work of Brene Brown is a wonderful start to exploring this type of courage. Vulnerability and shame speak to the softer, more human side of courageously turning up in life.
Moral Courage: This is the ability to stand up for what we believe, even though it may be uncomfortable or unpopular. It’s the ability to advocate for our own viewpoint or to create awareness more widely for the plight of others. It takes a certain form of bravery to find our voice and stand out from popular opinion.
“What if the world is holding its breath – waiting for you to take the place that only you can fill?”
David Whyte – Irish Poet
Emotional Courage: Being able to feel the breadth of our emotions – both the good and the bad. Not seeing them as our identity, but more our bodily response to what is happening around us. To be unashamed to show these emotions and share them with vulnerability. This is a healing type of courage. Very much the opposite of the ‘stiff upper lip’ of hiding our emotions from others.
Intellectual Courage: The ability to be fallible with knowledge. To learn, unlearn and relearn with an open and flexible mind. To know our knowledge and wisdom is tied to our particular view and experience of the world. To be open to the perspective of others. It’s the courage to make mistakes and learn difficult life lessons.
Spiritual Courage: To strive for purpose and meaning in our lives through a heart centred approach towards both ourselves and all life. To believe in the unseen and to uphold personal standards that benefit the collective good of our families and communities. This type of courage is a quiet and considered one.
Now that I have presented various faces of courage I intend to follow this with a series of blogs exploring each one. I hope you will join me in this broadened conversation of how we can live more courageously in our lives.