Courage is instrumental within the Happy Life System. The courage pillar is all about strengthening your inner power and being brave. If you don’t have courage or you don’t believe in yourself, you will live a mediocre life. You must have courage – even amidst chaos and noise from external forces. 

Courage is the ultimate defining factor of a person’s character. Do you feel brave? Do you have times in your life when you feel determined? Are you courageous enough to believe in yourself, your talents, and your dreams? 

Let’s dive into the courage pillar of the Happy Life System and how you can master this in yourself and teach your children to live with a naturally courageous spirit. 

What Does it Take to Be Courageous? 

What does it mean to be courageous? Being courageous within the Happy Life System means pursuing life with boldness. It’s gaining inner power, making progress, and earning your stripes along the way. Courage requires vigor and strength. Strengthening your inner power is an art and a practice. It requires continuous practice, especially through times that are uncomfortable and trying. 

So how do you teach your children courage? It is inevitable that your child will find themselves in situations that are uncomfortable. However, it is your job to help them find the strength to rise during these uncomfortable times. It is not your job to be courageous for them, speak for them, or act on their behalf. It is your job to find the courage within yourself to let THEM be courageous in their own right. 

You are not here to be courageous for your children. They must learn to be courageous for themselves. However, we can teach them to rise and believe in themselves and their own strengths and abilities. One of the best ways to teach your child courageousness is to be an example. You can lead by example. If you are living out your life dream, your child will see this and follow in your footsteps. 

If you are a courageous warrior that is willing and determined to work for your dream, this will not go unnoticed by your child. Are you courageous enough to embrace and tackle the journey you truly want? Let’s dive into the courage pillar of the Happy Life System and what it entails. 

The Four Elements of the Courage Pillar 

When you are courageous, you feel a passion for life. What is one courageous step you can take in your life right now? Is there something new that you have been wanting to try? 

Courage is not an overnight success story. Finding your courage is a journey. It’s about creating a foundation, being happy within your own mind, and feeling empowered to fulfill your personal dreams and goals. 

Here are the four elements to finding and building your courage within the Happy Life System. 

Integrity

When it comes down to it, integrity is really all we have in life. Integrity makes up who we are in life. This is why integrity is the first element of the courage pillar in the Happy Life System. 

Integrity entails living from the heart. It shapes the choices that we make in life. The cause and effect of how we act in our everyday interactions with the world around us. It is a vital moral to teach your child and to live within your personal life. When you live in alignment with the core values you believe in, you will be set up for success and inner peace. 

How can you explore and grow within your integrity element of the courage pillar? Here are some great ways to start practicing living with integrity in your life. 

• Recognize the difference between right and wrong 
• Practice believing in yourself 
• Practice staying firm in your decisions 
• Recognize stubbornness within yourself and make changes as needed 
• Believe in your abilities 
• Speak up for yourself

If you can master integrity, you will find yourself pursuing your dreams with vigor and passion. If you can instill this in your child, you will watch them grow to be successful, independent, honest human beings who are pursuing their passions in life. 

Honesty

The only way to live with peace in your life is to live with honesty. Lying leads to chaos and unrest. It haunts your conscience. If you lie and are dishonest you will constantly feel that negative energy around you. 

Teaching honesty and the importance of coming forward when you’ve made a mistake is an invaluable lesson for your child. Even in challenging or scary times, it’s vital to be honest and own up to what you know to be true. Those who get by in life while living dishonestly are not living up to their full potential; this is an unwavering truth. 

Instilling honesty in your child is simple. There are two tried and true methods that must also be led by example: 

• Tell the truth 
• Admit your mistakes and make it safe for others to do the same 

Honesty leads to authenticity, and authenticity leads to everlasting happiness. I have never known a truly happy person who is not authentic with themselves and others. Practicing honesty is an essential element of the courage pillar. 

Exploration 

Exploration is another key element of the courage pillar. In order to explore, you must be adventurous. This is a fun one! While I always encourage you to find joy in every step and fundamental of the Happy Life System, finding joy in the exploration step is truly enjoyable. 

Exploration can come with some discomfort. Pushing yourself to move outside your comfort zone. Expanding yourself beyond what you thought you were capable of. Oftentimes, your greatest growths come in times of discomfort. It’s where you can find new passions and purposes and discover your joys and talents. 

Through exploration, you will find a new passion for life. You will push yourself to areas and boundaries that you never knew you were capable of, and it will be invigorating!

Through adventure and exploration, you will create new passions and desires. You will use your imagination and creativity. It is a vital skill to nurture in your child. Encourage them to explore bold new places, enlighten themselves with new experiences, and explore their passions and curiosities. 

Here are some great ways to embark upon the exploration element of the courage pillar: 

• Learn something new from others 
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions 
• Practice positive self-motivation 
• Introduce yourself to new people 
• Go on a new adventure 
• Try something new each day 

As human beings, we are meant to explore the world. We were designed to be inquisitive and adventurous. What is your dream? What do you want to know more about? Ask yourself these questions, ask your child these questions, and then try new things. Try new things together! Make it fun and make a game out of the exploration element. The results will be empowering, uplifting, and life-changing. 

Independence 

Practicing and mastering independence is a cornerstone of finding your courage. If you can’t comfortably be alone, you will never have peace. A truly courageous person has peace in their heart, peace in their mind, and stillness within themself. 

Are you in tune with your own thoughts? Are you able to be still with yourself and be comfortable in your own company? Practicing independence is incredibly empowering and freeing. In fact, it’s only in the stillness with yourself that you will truly freely breathe, create, and tap into your soul. 

Teaching your child to find their independence will set them up for success in life. It helps to unlock their life purpose and connect them with themselves. In order to do this, you must let them take control. You have to let your child lead if you want them to be independent. This can be as simple as allowing them to choose their clothes for the day or trusting them to do their morning routine without an eagle eye over them. 

When you practice independence, you are showing that you are capable. When you allow your children to be independent, you are showing them how to be capable and self-sufficient. 

How can you allow your child to practice more independence? Here are some great ways to start and watch the results of letting your child grow into their independence element. 

• Let your child prepare their items for the next day, and start the day independently 
• Save money 
• Buy something with your own money 
• Make a healthy meal for yourself 
• Prepare a healthy snack for yourself 
• Practice self-confidence 

Give your child the capability to lead their own life by teaching them independence. This is an invaluable gift you can give them that will last them a lifetime. 

The Enemy of Courage 

The enemy of courage is insecurity. Insecurity is a fear-based emotion and should be avoided at all costs. It keeps us from experiences, it makes us guarded, and it fosters feelings of self-doubt. When we move into fear, we fall into victimhood, scarcity, and lack in life. 

Being bold and courageous is about taking one first step. Finding the moments in your life where you can expand yourself. Are you doing things that drive the dreams in your life? Are you pursuing the desires in your life? 

True success is having the internal peace within yourself to know that you are courageous enough to complete your goals. The Happy Life System will help you get here.