Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of courage as the key trait for overcoming life's obstacles, illustrated by an Indian legend and supported by quotes from historical figures.

Abstract

The article, titled "The One Trait You Need to Overcome Any Obstacle In Your Life," recounts an Indian legend of a king who loses his wealth and military strength but retains the Goddess of Courage, which ultimately helps him regain his kingdom's glory. It underscores that courage is an essential virtue, more valuable than material wealth or power, and is necessary to consistently practice other virtues. The piece acknowledges that courage can be elusive during challenging times, such as those brought about by the global pandemic, but offers strategies to maintain it: envisioning a realistic worst-case scenario, creating a detailed action plan, and looking at the big picture to put problems into perspective. The author cites Maya Angelou and Vincent Van Gogh to reinforce the idea that courage is foundational to facing life's struggles and that it is an inherent quality within everyone, akin to heart and spirit.

Opinions

Courage is presented as the most crucial virtue, without which other virtues cannot be practiced consistently.
The author suggests that a realistic assessment of the worst-case scenario can provide perspective and reduce fear.
Having a detailed action plan is seen as a way to mitigate fear of the unknown and maintain focus on goals.
The article advocates for a detached, bird's eye view of problems to see them in their true proportion and find solutions.
The author believes that courage is not exclusive to the wise but is an innate quality available to all, originating from the heart and spirit.
The legend of the king and the goddesses serves as a metaphor for the idea that internal wealth, in the form of courage, is sufficient to overcome external losses.

The One Trait You Need to Overcome Any Obstacle In Your Life

How to maintain courage when it is tested

Growing up, my mom always told me an Indian legend that highlights the power of courage.

A king had everything: a beautiful palace, thriving kingdom, and peaceful citizens.

One night, a goddess visited him in his dreams. “I am the Goddess of Wealth,” she said. “I have decided to leave you.” Surprisingly, the king showed no signs of protest, and the goddess left. With her disappearance, the kingdom was stripped of its splendor.

The next night, similar events occurred. “I am the Goddess of War, and I am leaving you,” the king heard in his dreams. Again, the king stayed silent, and his military strength disappeared. Soon, enemies ravaged the kingdom.

The third night, the Goddess of Courage arrived, and you guessed it: “I am leaving your kingdom,” she said. But this time, the king stopped the goddess. “I can do without money or a powerful army for now, but without courage, I am as good as dead. Do not forsake me,” he begged. Moved by his pleas, the goddess remained, and soon, the king faced his enemies with bravery and regained his nation’s glory.

Just like the king, even if we have lost material wealth, our internal wealth, an abundance of courage, should remain. From Maya Angelou to Vincent Van Gogh, respected leaders from all over the world have spoken about the vitality of courage. As Maya Angelou put it,

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

However, courage often eludes us in the times we need it most. Due to the global pandemic, millions of jobs have been lost, lives have been left in disarray, and it seems impossible to persist amidst these struggles. So, how can you maintain courage during difficult times?

1. Think of a realistic worst case scenario

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ― Winston Churchill

While it may seem counterproductive to think of the worst that could happen when you’re trying to keep your spirits up, doing so can put things in perspective. The worst case scenario may not be so devastating after all.

Don’t go overboard with your imagination: failing to sell thousands of copies of your first book won’t destine you a life in the dumps. You might lose a few thousand dollars in marketing money or editor fees, but authors who find massive success on their first books are rare.

In the moments where courage fails me, it’s easy to let my mind wander off into gruesome scenarios of utter failure. However, consciously envisioning the realistic worst case provides a dose of much-needed perspective. Plus, it sets a baseline that I can work from to create an action plan to ensure that even the realistic worst case doesn’t come true.

2. Create an action plan to see your project through

We fear what we cannot prevent, and by having a detailed action plan, you reduce the chance of unknown variables throwing you off your guard.

If you were laid off from your dream job, spend a day researching new job opportunities, updating your LinkedIn profile, and drafting cover letters.

Write down what your end goal, your light at the end of the tunnel, is. Then, jot down the steps you are going to take along the way to ensure that your dreams become a reality.

By plotting out your future steps, you create an action plan that will be a map, guiding you through the difficult times. When worry strikes you, act on your plans instead of succumbing to stress.

3. Look at the big picture

Hold a pebble up to your eyes, and it will become a boulder and block your vision. But, extend your arms and hold the pebble far away, and you will see both the pebble for what it really is and your surroundings.

Look at your problem like an audience in a drama, detached from emotions. From a bird’s eye view, a mountain becomes a molehill. Thus, by switching your perspective and looking at the big picture, you are able to analyze your situation and find solutions.

Apply the rule of tens. How much will your problem matter in 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 months, and 10 years?

Realizing that your struggles aren’t permanent will ease your mind and provide a boost of courage.

In school, whenever I’m taking a difficult test and can feel ripples of anxiety, I remind myself that in 30 minutes, the exam will be over. I simply need to keep calm and work for 30 minutes, and then the test will be in the past.

While it is impossible to know how long it will take for real world challenges to subside, the same mentality of remembering struggles are short-term can be applied.

The Takeaway

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” — Vincent Van Gogh

One of the only guaranteed parts of life is struggle. However, with courage, any struggle can be overcome. Thankfully, courage isn’t a magical quality only the wise possess.

The word courage comes from the Old French word “corage,” meaning “heart and spirit.” Courage is an innate quality, a never-ending well of hope from deep within you.

Just like the ancient Indian king refused to let the Goddess of Courage slip away, cling to courage, and you will have the power to overcome the insurmountable.