“The highest courage is not the heroic effort of an hour but the sustained courage that meets trial, sorrow, suffering, disappointment, hope deferred, misunderstanding day after day, week after week, and year after year, and stands serene and steadfast with a smile. It is in remaining strong under all conditions. Long after the rebel lips have said “I can bear it no longer,” the brave soul keeps sturdily on its lonely way. Such courage is not a matter of mind but of heart, not of temperament. It comes from a serene confidence, an abiding faith in some power, principle or purpose to enable one to endure or to conquer. It means self is great because of something greater than self that sustains.” ~ William George Jordan
Many people lack courage because of an underlying fear of loss. They’re afraid that if they stand up for something or someone and do the right thing they will end up getting the short end of the stick. They may fear for their material possessions, their reputations or even their lives in some cases, but all such fears are at their core a fear of loss.
At the end of the day you can lose everything but still have your integrity. The fear of loss is a paper tiger. It is an arbitrary construct of the human mind that is hellbent on dominating the world around it, rather than having dominion over it. Release that fear, say to yourself “I could lose anything, nay, everything and still be a source of blessing”, and the courage to meet anything in life with tranquility, strength and wisdom will be given unto you.
Gregory Hake 
Fabulous thoughts!
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Glad you liked them!
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“The fear of loss” can be one of the biggest blockages in living a fulfilled life. If we are holding on to the past, have limiting assumptions about the present or the future, or if we are afraid of losing a relationship, material possessions, etc., we are out of alignment with (and can’t see) all that IS available.
This is a perfect example of living an “outside in” life. Manipulation, domination, “white knuckling it” to make sure everything works out the way it “needs” to work out. Many people have fear of loss programmed in and shellacked over at a very young age. It’s become a concrete pattern and is evident in the world we have.
Letting go of this approach to life requires a relaxed alertness. One that allows clear focus and the slowing down of the circumstances at hand. As the heart and mind are aligned, an aperture opens for clarity, wisdom (seeing the fitness of things), and the unending flow of love and compassion. The right starting points become evident.
I appreciate “I could lose everything and still be a blessing.” With this attitude a cleansing of sorts can take place . . . . . . .providing openings for new opportunity to be revealed.
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Well put, Mac.
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Your stance is truly inspiring, and Jordan’s excerpt provides an amazing sensory insight to the quality of heart and character of one who puts their money where there mouth is, so to speak. Here’s to letting the rubber hit the high road!
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I’m enjoying bringing Jordan’s insights to 21st century eyes, hearts and minds!
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Your words sound loudly. We can never really be bereft when we honor our integrity. Thanks for your offerring.
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Good point, Dr. Steve.
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How people deal with either loss itself or the specter of loss is really the acid test of character. “Is there anything that could be taken from me that would cause me to resent, to curse or to flee into the shadows of self-pity?” If we cannot answer this question with a clear “no,” we cannot be considered trustworthy because we will certainly collapse and betray the highest and most beautiful things under pressure.
I suppose it can be helpful also to examine honestly our track records in that regard. How have we handled the little losses or disappointments that have come into the picture to date? There is a certain resolution that can and must come for each one, and in a sense that is a solitary matter. Each one must meet this issue alone, and yet it is on the basis of having met it correctly that we can form the right and necessary relationships to achieve our creative purposes.
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You may have identified the single biggest reason that so many people don’t accomplish what they are capable of in their lives, and that is the fear of loss and/or failure. It seems that it takes real character and courage to effectively deal with this fear; I heard once that “action cures fear”, and it is that action that takes courage, partly because so many others are not taking action, but instead are sitting on the sidelines afraid to commit themselves because they don’t want to ‘lose’.
I for example note the power of this fear in the training of salespeople. Everybody of course say that they want to be successful, but it is amazing to me how few actually have the courage to do the work that is needed. Why? I think primarily because they fear losing – what is going to be on the other end of the phone for example, and what might they take away from me. So, what do most do? They settle for something less because this fear is a stronger driver than the desire for gain is.
Ultimately, it seems to me that it boils down to a lack of courage that leads to the fear of loss that blocks most of us from becoming who we are capable of becoming. And again, that is why the taking of action, actually doing something (making the phone calls for example), will start the process of developing the courage that is necessary to become who one is capable of becoming.
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The ironic part of this is that when you live your life afraid of loss and without courage, you end up losing anyway. Your life becomes a shell of what it could have been. Thanks for sharing Jordan’s words and your thoughts as well.
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I know people that personify this courage, not martyrs but noble people of great character. I do believe the difference is their dedication to their understood purpose for living. You’ve witten about it many times; understanding your purpose and living a life compatible for its realization raises the bar for all thoughts and action. I’d guess taking this positon would also eliminate the victimized feeling most peole have. Power seems a choice. Thanks for your words.
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Hi Gregg,
Jordan keeps giving day after day, truly astounded by the quality and depth of his writing. Thanks for sharing so many great pieces.
This note comes at a perfect time for me, ‘serene confidence’ is certainly something that takes consistency of value to build. Once built, it can be a launch pad for extraOrdinary things.
Thanks again, I look forward to seeing my part all the way through.
James
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