I RECENTLY spoke in assembly about courage, what our understanding is of this term and how it impacts on our lives.

There are probably many different ways to interpret courage and maybe a good starting point is to consider the interpretation from those who have achieved greatness.

Nelson Mandela is quoted as saying: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

We will all experience fear at some time in our lives. Maybe because we have done something wrong and are afraid of the consequences.

Children often make mistakes or indeed do wrong and need to face the consequences of their actions. This is when courage demands that they are honest, that they admit their mistakes and take the consequences with dignity.

Courage may be when they are physically afraid. This is where they may need to put our trust in others and their own physical abilities. Physical courage for some, may be the first time they abseil on a climbing wall. For others, it may be undertaking an ultra-even not sure if they will pass the finish line and terrified of not doing so.

Another quote I like is: “It takes courage to endure the sharp pains of self-discovery rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives.”

My interpretation of this is the idea that you should follow your heart and your passions in life if you are to be fulfilled and sometimes this takes courage.

Steve Jobs is famed for saying: “Passion is what drives us crazy, what makes us do extraordinary things, to discover, to challenge ourselves. Passion is and should always be the heart of courage. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”

Have the courage to follow your passions.

Sometimes courage is persevering in the face of adversity.

Courage may also be standing up for what is right. It is a weakness to say nothing and to turn a blind eye. Moral courage is the act of taking action and doing the right thing even if the action may make us unpopular.

Courage is about doing the right thing, no matter what the consequences.

What is the right thing comes down to judgement and you develop this by experiencing life, by getting involved, by travelling, by taking yourself out of your comfort zone, by expanding your horizons and by living.

Indeed, by having a growth mind-set and a willingness to have a go you will be courageous in life.