In honor of Women’s History Month, this article will focus on a woman of our past who demonstrated having a lot of courage.
What does it mean to have courage? Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines it as having “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” There is power in having courage. Even the words used to define it – like persevere or withstand – has strength. The definition beautifully illustrates having courage as an active process, that begins from within.
Prior to the outward physical manifestation of courage, there is an internal experience that allow it to occur. Courage begins in the person’s mind and their character. It involves having strong convictions, and firmly standing behind it through actions – both small and big.
HONORING HARRIET TUBMAN
Harriet Tubman is a woman from our past whose actions demonstrated a tremendous amount of courage. She not only successfully escaped from slavery, after persevering years of abuse, but was instrumental in helping hundreds of others gain their freedom.
She portrayed determination.
Harriet Tubman’s resiliency did not end there. She ventured into dangerous situations to help hundreds of other enslaved people into freedom, through 19 trips using the Underground Railroad. During such trips, she led the way serving as their “Conductor” while providing them calmness and hope during a very difficult experience. She was a Humanitarian hero.
She portrayed selflessness.
Harriet Tubman’s additional contributions to the human race include her services with the Union Army during the Civil War. She served roles as a nurse, cook, laundress and a spy. During her time in service, her actions led to successful invasions and saved the lives of many soldiers dying from a disease of extreme diarrhea, by concocting a bitter-tasting brew.
She portrayed leadership.
Harriet believed in her self-worth and dreamt of living a life free from being held captive by another human being, and successfully created it as her reality. Her actions were an outward manifestation of her mental and moral strength – her toughness. She did not choose being born into slavery, but instead of submitting to something she did not want, her default response was to fight for herself and others.
Undoubtedly, Harriet Tubman portrayed courage. Her actions were courageous in successfully escaping from slavery, since it often led to deadly outcomes, but even more so because she was a resilient human being whose confidence helped not only herself but included countless others. She lived by her convictions and made a conscious choice to venture back to dangerous territories to help others seeking freedom. She wanted other enslaved people to also have freedom, and was willing to risk her life to help them.
She portrayed fearlessness.
Harriet Tubman stood against the injustice of slavery. In doing so, her courage had a positive impact and inspired thousands and millions of people to withstand injustice; and continues to be an inspiration well over a century later.
HOW DID HARRIET TUBMAN DO IT?
Harriet Tubman successfully escaped slavery, and helped many others through the support of other people who also believed in the value of having all human beings live freely from being enslaved. She received help from men and women who were supporters of the Underground Railroad.
Most importantly, her journey began well before she escaped the plantation. It began in her mind, through her beliefs and optimistic attitude. Her mindset carried her through some very challenging times, while enslaved and following. Her mental toughness helped her remain resilient and resourceful. For instance, she successfully outwitted men – through use of disguises or secret code messages through songs – who were looking to have her captured after she escaped as well as during the 19 subsequent trips when assisting other people to freedom.
WHY IS THIS RELEVANT TODAY?
Forevermore, we must remember and continue to share stories, like Harriet Tubman’s, that illustrate the positive impact of courageously and firmly standing behind convictions that are for the greater good of the human race. Today, we must show courage and firmly speak and engage in actions that shows we will not support injustice against other human beings. We must stand against experiences that does not support love and consideration of other people – openly renounce oppression and abuse.
WHY IS MENTAL TOUGHNESS IMPORTANT?
Mental toughness is a term often associated with sports. Yet, it is also relevant in every day living. Mental toughness highlights an ability to portray resiliency and stay focused on the goal, especially in the midst of intense challenge. By being mentally tough, you can increase your chance of achieving more and ultimately live the life you want – to be who you want and living fulfilled.
We need mental toughness to have the right mindset that can have us successfully navigate the ups and down of life. We need a mindset that can support us with being determined, focused, optimistic and in control even in the middle of our most difficult experiences. In developing such a mindset, we will experience excellence in our personal growth and support the creative process of having a fulfilling life.
Through it, we can be our best selves.
There are many studies and reports that give evidence it is possible for people to further develop their mental toughness throughout their life. It is possible through habitual practice of key attitudes and actions. Mental toughness must include the continuous practice of positive cognitive skills, yet it is also a complex and dynamic process, that include other factors like having motivational external experiences and people who can offer useful resources and knowledge.
WHAT ARE THE LESSONS FROM HARRIET TUBMAN ON HOW TO BE A WOMAN WITH MENTAL TOUGHNESS AND COURAGE?
- Harriet Tubman knew and believed she was worthy to live freely, versus living enslaved.
- Know who you are, what you believe in and being comfortable with yourself enough to have your actions match it.
- Harriet Tubman set the goal to live as a free person from being enslaved, and remained focused on it.
- Set your goals, then always check your thoughts and attitude to make sure they direct the right actions that matches what you want.
- Harriet Tubman mentally visualized her goal was possible well before it was in her outside reality.
- Learn how to use your mind to see what you want, well before you physically do it because it is great practice that is already preparing you for performance.
- Harriet Tubman controlled her thinking to stay positive and optimistic, even during challenges.
- Learn how to shift from negative to positive thinking, and continuously repeat thoughts that lifts you up versus tear you down.
- Harriet Tubman knew how to keep her cool and manage her emotions, especially in the midst of difficult situations.
- Learn and continuously practice mental and emotion management techniques that can help you manage negative emotions.
- Harriet Tubman lived with purpose, motivated by her passionate belief that all people have the right to live free from slavery, and helped many others gain freedom.
- Be part of life experiences that offer you positive challenges, motivates you, rewarding and enjoyable.
- Harriet Tubman had a strong support network that were a positive resource.
- Have a supportive group of people who can learn from, available to offer you encouragement or celebrate the success, and provide emotional support during challenges.
So, ask yourself:
What are my convictions?
What practices do I have in place to habitually develop my mental toughness?
How are my actions matching my convictions?
