Have you ever felt like you are just barely keeping your head above water? Last week was one of those for me. Between juggling deadlines at work, keeping up with the endless needs of parenting, and trying to carve out some sliver of time for myself, I felt constantly pulled in multiple directions. By Friday afternoon, I was running on fumes, questioning how sustainable this frenetic pace is.
Unfortunately, my experience is far from unique. I am sure most of us do go through similar. I read an article that suggested 60% of UK adults experienced anxiety, according to their research. Our always-on, hustle culture has created a surge of burnout, anxiety, and people lacking a sense of deeper purpose amidst all the busyness.
However, I have found that cultivating three timeless virtues can be powerful anchors for weathering life's storms and finding more contentment. When I am completely overwhelmed, I pause and draw strength from courage, self-control, and wisdom.
Courage
Like a blazing torch in the darkness, courage allows us to confront our fears head-on instead of retreating. In my career, it gives me the confidence to propose new ideas, even if I initially face pushback. For entrepreneurs, it's the mettle to take calculated risks to grow their business.
Yet courage is just as vital outside the office. It's what allows me to initiate those awkward but crucial conversations about challenges in my relationships. It is the boldness to be an authentic parent, setting boundaries and examples my children desperately need.
As Winston Churchill knew: "Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others."
Self-Control
While courage propels us forward, self-control prevents overreacting to life's inevitable stresses and curveballs. For leaders, it manifests as emotional intelligence - staying composed and making wise decisions under immense pressure.
On the home front, it is what prevents me from lashing out impulsively when my kids are in meltdown mode (which, let's be honest, happens daily). Instead of roaring back, I can regulate my emotions and respond with patience and wisdom.
As the ancient philosopher Thomas Aquinas wrote, "Self-control is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion."
Wisdom
Courage ignites our journey, while self-control is the motor providing steady propulsion. But it's wisdom that ensures we travel in the right direction and arrive at a purposeful destination.
Wise business leaders focus on making ethical, sustainable decisions, not just quick profits. In my parenting, I try to embody wisdom by imparting perspective and life lessons, not just facts.
As Andy Stanley has highlighted, “In light of my past experience, what is the wise thing for me to do? In light of my current circumstances and state of mind, what is the wise thing for me to do? In light of my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do?”
No matter our circumstances, these three virtues provide stability:
•Courage to boldly reshape our situations.
•Self-control to respond rationally, not emotionally.
•Wisdom to extract profound purpose from experiences.
So where can you start integrating these anchors into your own chaos? When do you need to replace fear with courage this week? How can you exercise more restraint and emotional intelligence when frustrations arise? What wisdom could you gain by listening more deeply to those around you?
Pick one virtue to practice through tiny, daily reps - that 5-minute morning meditation for self-control, that difficult conversation to spark from courage, or that extra second of pause before reacting to access your wise mind. Let these powerful counter-weights keep you grounded and oriented toward meaning, even when everything seems to be wildly spinning.
I know I will be calling on their strength this week as I continue to manage my multiple responsibilities and challenges. By staying rooted in courage, self-control, and wisdom.
AI-Generated via Leonardo
I found it very interesting how you broke this down into the three components - I really love that and will think about this going forward.
But to me, self-control is really the key - the bridge that connects the two.
Courage is important to begin, and wisdom is of course crucial, but without self-control - without taking that moment to connect the dots - courage is perhaps not as useful as it seems on the surface.
- Self-control is being able to disconnect from your impulses
- Self-control is finding the words to express what you actually think
- Self-control is being able to do things you know you have to, even if you don't want to
Thanks for such a thoughtful piece of writing. I will think of creating order amongst chaos in a different way - and you have earned a new subscriber.
I think you're right about one scheduled practice to center oneself. I've managed to do a short 10 min. meditation daily for a while now, and I feel it prepares me for my day. Then onward w/ all the other stuff.