This week’s quote from Pema Chodron invites us to redefine courage by considering the value of a change of heart. Veronica uses this quote to help us reconsider our notions of courage and what is beneficial to ourselves and those around us. Instead of harshness and hardening our hearts, softening and embracing sensitivity requires the strength of vulnerability.

Veronica goes on to discuss the courage involved in breaking the habit of armoring and learning instead to open and surrender. Additionally we can learn to move through the tendency to fight, flee, and freeze toward acceptance with tenderness.

When we invest in the skill of embracing what makes us uncomfortable, we can strengthen our capacity compassion and gain wisdom about the next step to take toward building peace.