It takes courage to be happy

I can see your mind working already: "It doesn't take courage to be happy," you might be thinking. And, partly, you're right.

Common, everyday happiness comes and goes, usually unnoticed, but the lasting type of happiness is a conscious thing. It is a choice or, perhaps, even a talent to hone. I say this because I have found that my clients who are truly fulfilled, content and happy have made a commitment to be so.

Especially during times of challenge I have found that happiness and contentment is cultivated, appreciated, shared and remembered. It sticks around, no matter what downturns may come and go. Like a match that lights other matches, it transfers to other people who you may come in contact with.

This type of happiness requires courage to have because it requires courage to choose to be happy, in spite of what happens to you. Said another way, it takes energy to try to remain positive. However, I have found that energy grows and feeds itself. At the same time, if we click into negativity, I have also found that state of mind can grow and spread.

I want to be clear that I am not encouraging an impractical, un-authentic way of being. Rather, I am attempting to share that creating life-enhancing experiences takes a daily commitment and choice.

You see, anybody can be happy on a nice summer da, but it takes courage to remain happy when storm clouds are threatening. It takes courage to remain happy when your life takes a turn for the worse. It takes courage to keep optimistic when things are in a downturn.

If we define courage as acting in spite of our fears, then it takes courage to act optimistically in spite of trouble, and it takes courage to stay happy, even when times are tough.

Courage to take on problems

If you're having money problems, it takes courage to confront them and put them behind you. If you dislike your job, it takes courage to go to work in order to put food on the table and create a plan so that you can have a realistic exit strategy. If you abhor public speaking, it takes courage to stand up before a group, when your job depends on it. These are everyday fears, and they take everyday courage.

Does it take courage to look at the scale when you're overweight? Sure. Does it take courage to take on a house mortgage? Of course! Does it take courage to actually work to make yourself better, even though you have no guarantee that anything good will come from it? Yes, it does. Does it take courage to confront something even if it is uncomfortable? Of course, that's what everyday courage is all about.

Everyday courage involves doing things that are good for you, even if you fear them.

Courage at work

An example: One of our patients works as a fire chief. As part of that job, she finds herself in sticky situations. One day, I asked her what she did that day.

"Oh, I was riding on top of an elevator for part of the day," she said.

She prowls around fire sites, climbs ladders set into the outside of buildings, deals with pyrotechnic demonstrations, jumps trenches and takes on companies who are trying to break the rules. To her, it's just part of the job. To me, it's everyday courage.

How about a co-worker who has to champion a new project at work despite the odds? How about a new relationship that challenges your commitment level and routine? How about a new job that is outside your comfort range? How about being a leader of a volunteer project, a community service endeavor, or perhaps a socially active community focus group?

Does it take courage to do these things at work? You bet it does.

Does it take courage to stand up for your ideas? Does it take courage to be ethical on the job, even when your co-workers are less than ethical? Does it take courage to cold call a customer? Does it take courage to try to be better, every day at work, even when other people seem to do all right even though they settle for mediocrity?

Of course it takes courage to do these things - everyday courage.

Does it take courage for a health care worker to explain how to change one's health behaviors? Yes, it does. Does it take courage for a firefighter, or police officer to go to work? Of course it does.

Sometimes, it takes courage to just show up for work in the morning. Heck, some days, it takes courage to just get out of bed.

We are - or should be - all courageous, in some way, at some time. It may not be the kind of courage that would attract a news crew, but it's courage, nevertheless.

Celebrate courage when you encounter it. Relish it when your family or friends exemplify it. Respect it when you find it. Cultivate it in your life. The world needs more courageous people, more courageous acts, more courageous leaders.

The world, and us as well, needs more everyday courage. Keep your eyes open, you just might find some today.

Dr. Jason Kolber is a licensed doctor of chiropractic and a certified life coach. He can be contacted at (480) 704-2787 or www.livinginline.com.