Developing Will and Moral Courage: 5 Tips

Submitted by admin on Sun, 04/01/2018 - 02:34

Developing Will and Moral Courage: 5 Tips

© 2013 by Jensen DG. Mañebog
 
The following are some tips or suggestions on how to develop will and moral courage (Mañebog, 2013):
 
1. Develop and practice self-discipline.
One way to develop moral courage and will is to develop and practice self-discipline. The concept self-discipline involves the rejection of instant gratification in favor of something better.
 
Ethically applied, it may refer to the giving up of instant pleasure and satisfaction for a higher and better goal such as executing a good rational moral decision.
 
Developing will and moral courage involves developing self-control. It includes nurturing the ability to stick to actions, thoughts, and behavior, which lead to moral improvement and success. It encompasses endowing the inner strength to focus all the energy on a moral goal and persevere until it is accomplished.
 
2. Do mental strength training.
This method is never reserved for a few special people. One of the most simple and effective methods under this mental strength training involves declining to satisfy unimportant and unnecessary desires.
 

Everybody is normally confronted and tempted by an endless stream of cravings and temptations, many of which are not actually important or desirable. By practicing to refuse to gratify every one of them, a person gets courageous and stronger.

Saying no to useless, harmful or unnecessary desires and deeds, and behaving contrary to one’s (bad) habits, fortify and refine a person’s mindset. (Read: Share His/Her Unique Characteristics, Habits, and Experiences (Why and How))
 
By persistent practice, one’s inner power grows, in the same way working out one’s muscles at a gym increases one’s physical strength.
 
In both cases, when a person needs inner power or physical strength, they are available at his/her disposal.
 
The following are some examples. Some of them are not necessarily ethically related:
 
- Don’t open the internet for a day or two.
- Drink water or juice, in spite of your desire to have a beer or liquor.
- Avoid chatting with your gossipy friend.
- For a week, go to sleep one hour earlier than usual.
- Resist the desire to gamble.
 
Trainings like these add to the storehouse of one’s inner strength. By following a methodical method of training, a person can reach far, have more control over oneself and one’s life, realize ethical goals, improve his/her life, and achieve satisfaction and peace of mind.
 
3. Draw inspiration from people of great courage.
People usually admire and respect courageous persons who have won great success by manifesting self-discipline and will power.
 
These include people in all walks of life, who with sheer will power and moral courage, overcame difficulties and hardships, have improved their moral life, advanced on the spiritual or moral path, and became worthy of imitation.
 
History is filled with outstanding examples of moral courage whom we rightly celebrate: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Aung San Suu Kyi, and especially Jesus Christ and His apostles.
 
When we see individuals put their comfort, safety, security, reputation, or even life on the line for a cause they believe in, or for an ideal that matters more than personal wellbeing, we witness moral courage and will in action.
 
4. Repeatedly do acts that exhibit moral courage and will.
Practice makes perfect. If one wishes to nurture the moral courage and will in him, he must strive doing the acts that manifest them whenever opportunity allows it. The following are some examples (“Moral Courage,” n.d.):
 
helping someone push a car (e.g. out of a snow bank), even if it means being late
standing up to a bully on the playground
picking up litter
doing homework or chores without being reminded
refusing to listen to or repeat gossip
practicing what you preach, even when no-one is looking or knows
turning in a toy or a wallet to the Lost and Found
(for teens) calling home for a ride from a party where alcohol is being served
(for teachers) giving all students an equal voice regardless of race, socioeconomic status, religion, gender or sexual orientation
becoming company whistle blower risking job loss, financial cost, and or legal repercussion
reporting a crime
participating in a peaceful protest
 
5. Avoid deeds that show lack of moral courage and will.
This involves evading acts that show irresponsibility, cowardice, apathy, rashness, imprudence, ill will, and wickedness. Here are some examples (“Moral Courage,” n.d.):
 
walking away from someone in need
taking more than your fair share
laughing at someone's misfortune or accident
grabbing the spotlight from someone who has earned it
placing too much reliance on the letter rather than the spirit of the law
remaining silent in the face of wrong-doing or injustice
rationalizations or justifications for action/lack of action
being inconsistent or capricious with rules and standards for one’s children
choosing sides after seeing which way the wind is blowing
breaking a promise
lying or cheating
 
Copyright © 2013 to present by Jensen DG. Mañebog)
 
 
 
Use #MoralCourage #Will #JensEnismo
 

For students' comments, use the comment section here

 

Subjects:

Sponsored Links