We show our true character by the way we approach the challenges in our life and, believe me, there will always be challenges.

If we are timid or very fearful, we try every conscious and unconscious trick in the book to get somebody else to solve our problems for us. We make ourselves sick with worry so somebody will feel sorry for us and handle OUR challenge. That way we have somebody to blame if things don't work out the way we want them to and we get to continue to feel like a victim. We get manipulative, trying to transfer the responsibility for solving the problem to somebody else. With the responsibility, we're also transferring the ability to control the quality of our life so again we get to hold onto the illusion that we're a victim. If we are timid or in "victim mode", we get overwhelmed and easily distracted. We procrastinate. We wallow in self-pity for so long that we get incapacitated. In other words, we do all the things that cause us to hold on to our challenges even longer than necessary and, sometimes, we acquire additional problems along the way. People who never take responsibility for their own lives or face their challenges are depriving themselves of the opportunity to feel empowered and proud of their accomplishments.

On the other hand, people who are courageous (you know the one's I'm talking about, the ones that "feel the fear and do it anyway") get stronger and more confident every time they overcome a fear and do whatever's necessary to move beyond their challenge. They strengthen their character and see themselves as being triumphant rather than as being victimized. They experience all their feelings as long as necessary. They don't run away from emotions by heading for alcohol, drugs, food or any other self-destruction solution.  They acknowledge their anger, express their fears and concerns and, even though their hands may be shaking and they may be powered by blind faith and trust, they take one step after another to get them beyond their challenge. At the end of the journey, they feel triumphant because they know deep inside that they have built up the inner strength necessary to help them handle the next challenge that they'll face. They know the only way to feel strong is by facing each challenge as it arises. It's by being courageous that we gain courage.