Courage is another Virtue that is often misunderstood. Courage is the ability to take necessary action in the face of Fear, Doubt, Uncertainty, Defeat or possible Failure. It is also the motivating or driving force in the Positive Realm to effect change. However, in the Positive Realm, "change", by definition is positive. Courage is not utilized in destructive force. It may be used, however, when an apparent negative force is implemented in order to bring about future Positive results, as in the lancing of a wound or in speaking the Truth to someone in Denial.

Many identify Courage with Bravery or physical strength. Some associate certain personality temperaments with Courage when in fact they may actually be recklessness or impetuousness. Certainly the impetuous can perform heroic acts simply because they often do not think before they act. However, Courage is hardly required on the part of someone who is given to emotional reaction.

In fact, Courage abides with Humility and Acceptance. Acceptance and Courage are linked together. We often think of Courage as a short term commodity which shows up when necessary. However, Courage is required in the single mother who works her tiring job and comes home to take care of her children day in and day out. Courage provides the ability to endure after a situation appears to be hopeless and Defeat appears inevitible. Courage is the impetus for performing Positive action regardless of the perceived outcome. Courage abides in the realm of Truth, which is why Acceptance must precede effective change. Once one has accepted the Truth of a situation, one is then confronted with the behaviors required to effect the necessary change. Courage will then be required to engage those behaviors.

Like Humility, Courage will not give in to peer pressure, popular opinion, or the latest medical research if it conflicts with the Truth. Courage and Humility abide in the same Realm. Courage is a Virtue. Valor is another word for Courage, but it has often been associated with war. In fact, Courage is often associated with brute strength and force. However, it takes Courage to ignore the goading and inciteful remarks of a foolish bully, rather than to give in to the natural impulse to retaliate and seek revenge. Courage also abides with Wisdom and seeks it out. Wisdom does not allow the opinions and actions of others to determine its own behavior or belief. Courage does not borrow from Negative energy in order to achieve its ends. It is not driven by Fear, Hatred, Envy or Revenge. These Vices often generate their own Negative force. Courage is the force from the Positive realm required to meet them head on.

Courage often requires the use of deadly, brutal force. The martial arts certainly include training in the use of deadly force. A totem figure for Courage is that of the Lion which certainly possesses brute force. However, those who possess great force, along with much Pride, do not require the Virtue, Courage. When deadly force is applied with the Virtue Courage as the precipitator it is to meet an opposing Negative force with the objective of obtaining Victory, a Positive Principle. When Negative force is implemented for the purposes of greed, corruption, conquest or exploitation, Courage is not present with those who initiate the action. It may, however, be present with the foot soldiers engaged in carrying out the action who are innocent of alterior motives.

True Courage is companion to Acceptance, Humility, Wisdom, Peace and Serenity. While it may appear to be the athletic member of the family, it is no less a member of Positive Energy.