Readers reply: can you acquire courage?

"Courage is more a decision than anything else, especially the first time. That old saying, Feel the fear and do it anyway is important. You don't need courage if you're not afraid, so don't wait for the fear to go before you try. The first time is the hardest, then you start to realise the sky doesn't fall in, and it gets easier and easier."

"I started out really shy. Essentially, I still am. But I learned to refuse to be pushed around, to challenge people, to write really good, logical letters to companies who tried to mess me around. You can do all these things quite gently. There's no need to be loud or angry. Just realising that quietly stating your case can move mountains is liberating."

Many situations demand courage, from life-and-death actions to everyday confrontations and professional risks. A child swimming for hours in rough seas and then running kilometres demonstrates extreme physical courage and urgent resourcefulness. Lesser acts include standing up to friends or family and pursuing complaints against unresponsive companies. Professions such as entrepreneurship, war reporting and frontline policing require sustained readiness to face danger and uncertainty. Courage often stems from choosing to act despite fear; the first act is typically hardest, and repeated actions build confidence. Gentle, reasoned confrontation can be effective and empowering without aggression.

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