Making a Leap

Leaping wood ducklings - photo by Stan Tekiela

          Unlike most waterfowl, wood ducks are quite comfortable perching and nesting in trees. Since these ducks can't make their own holes, breeding pairs will search for tree cavities. Generally, these cavities occur when a branch has broken off and the tree's heartwood has rotted. The higher cavities are preferred for a nest site; inside, they can be several feet deep. Ducklings hatch completely alert with a full coat of down. Clinging with the claws on their webbed feet and bracing with their tails, they climb their way to the nest hole entrance a day after hatching. Encouraged by their mother at the bottom of the tree, they leap out, often falling 60 feet. Yet because they are so lightweight, they bounce without hurting themselves when landing. Once all the ducklings have jumped, they follow their mother to the water.
          Courage is an important trait because life is constantly full of challenges. How do we react to unsettling or unexpected news if we have not developed the ability to bravely meet life on life's terms? We often shut down and pull the covers over our head. When that doesn't work, we may lash out in anger. Then we might try manipulation, pretending to adapt while really doing our best to get rid of or fix an unfixable situation. Eventually, we become aware of the futility of our strategies. The seed of courage can begin to grow when we soften our heart and 'be with' rather than reject our experience. We can nurture this seed through new behaviors:

1. Verbally label fearful thoughts as such; thoughts are not the same as reality.
2. Redefine failure; instead of seeing it as not getting what is desired, view it as refusing to adjust to change.
3. Gather factual information from reliable resources to help make informed decisions.
4. Manage stress through meditation, visualization, and exercise.
5. Realize that feeling vulnerable is normal; it does not indicate a lack of ability to do something different.

For more information on courage, see this post.

Principles: Courage

The following cards (#13-30) are additional spiritual principles and practices that can be essential in recovery.

Petunia growing up through a crack in concrete

          Fear can arise when we face loss, opposition or physical injury/death. Courage can be an anchor when anxiety tries to override our ability to take prudent action. But how do we find inner strength when it feels as if we have none? First, consider whether assumptions or expectations that have no concrete basis are creating unnecessary worry. Sort out the factual evidence from fiction. Second, examine the motivation behind the intended action. Is its importance greater and more far-reaching than what underlies the fear? What are the costs of inaction versus the benefits of action? Third, ask trusted friends and advisors for their support. It is likely they have stories of how they overcame challenges that could be an inspiration. Finally, commit to taking a small step toward your goal. Sometimes just showing up can be a good start. Each time we are willing to confront uncertainty, risk or suffering by acting with purpose, we develop courage and plant seeds for courageous action in the future.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.

~ James Niel Hollingworth

For more information on courage, see this post.