Of a Good Courage

I am now a college student. I am a Brigham Young University Cougar. I've been through several emotions whenever contemplating this in the last several weeks, but now it's real and you know what? It feels great. Yes, there are still lots of things I have at least some worry about (especially getting lost on campus....if you recall, I am directionally challenged), but I have so many great opportunities ahead of me and have already gotten to have great opportunities from the leadership conference I went to for incoming freshman and my first day of Orientation. It's a wonderful whirlwind, and I'm proud to say that I've really put myself out there when facing this new campus, new home, and the THOUSANDS of people who make up my freshman class. You want to know how I accomplished this confidence in the face of newness and change? Courage.

Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

One trick to being confident is finding your courage. It takes courage to initiate a conversation. It takes courage to put your true self out there. It takes courage to try new things. It takes courage to take charge of your life. Find courage, and you can claim your confidence. And you don't have to be Hercules. You don't have to face monsters everyday without so much as a flinch. Sometimes all you need is that small dose of courage to take on the little things. Sometimes that courage that comes with a deep breath is enough to give your confidence the boost it needs.

I love this quote (and this movie) because it is so true. Sometimes you just have to push past the twist in your gut and the thumping of your heart and just gather up all the courage in your body for one burst. Sometimes you just have to take the leap. And sometimes, your leap will fall short. Sometimes it won't all work out. Sometimes your embarrassing bravery will end with an embarrassing outcome. Sometimes courageous actions aren't met with success

And that's okay.

It's okay to fail. In fact, it is great to fail, because how else do you learn? How can you ever be truly confident in yourself unless you learn to be courageous and confident regardless of the outcome? Anyone can be confident when things are going just their way. It takes a truly confident person to face problems, fears, and doubts with courage, knowing that it might not work out, but that even if it doesn't, you tried. You did it. You talked to that cute boy, even if he didn't show any interest. You raised your hand to answer the question, even if you got the answer wrong. You set off alone to find your orientation group's meeting spot, even if you made a wrong turn and ended up walking farther than you had too and arrived a few minutes late.

You do not have to do everything right to have confidence.

You just have to have the courage to do it.

So put yourself out there. Find your courage and just try. Take the leap into the unknown, leave that starting line behind you, abandon your comfort zone. I promise you, something good will come of it. Be strong. Be courageous. Be confident.