Move out or grow in any dimension and pain as well as joy will be your reward.

– M. Scott Peck, M.D., from The Road Less Traveled

 

I was listening to this book on the way home from work this evening, and this quote leaped out at me. This line captures the essence of courage, without mentioning courage at all.

Growth is painful. And it is the best way to experience joy.

Seeking joy means exposing ourselves to pain.

And deliberately exposing ourselves to pain is the very definition of courage.