A His-tory and Her-story Lesson

Not so long ago (well, okay, maybe thousands of years ago), before civilization became as we know it today, couples were still coupling.  There was so much to do just to survive – tend to the offspring, maintain the shelter, collect fuel for warmth and light, grow or hunt the nourishment, prepare the nourishment, protect the homestead.  No one, neither man nor woman, would have had the time or energy to handle it all alone. 

Because of biology, with women giving birth to and then nurturing the offspring, their work was done primarily inside the family dwelling.  Equally, because of men’s biologically superior strength and speed, they became responsible for duties outside the family dwelling.

Furthermore, very specific and inherent characteristics made men and women successful in their designated life arenas.  Women used their natural instincts to nurture, communicate and be altruistic, among others, in raising the children and caring for the home.  Likewise, men’s natural instincts to be aggressive, impulsive and take risks were advantageous in the world at large.

I believe that this is the very foundation of how our view of courage developed.  What happened next?  Keep reading ….

Not better, just different

Humans tend to have a distinct need to rank things and determine who or what is bigger, faster, richer, thinner, prettier.  Even kids do this – just watch them in the classroom or on the athletic field.  It’s a shame as there are so many valuable contenders who go unnoticed.  Furthermore, there are equally as many times when we fail to realize that just because something is different doesn’t mean it’s not as valuable.

I could go on ad nauseum on this last thought, so let me focus here.  From the research I’m currently doing for my new book, A Different Kind of Courage, I have come to realize that there is a very specific set of traits, typically female, that propel courageous acts.  But just because they’re not what we typically think of as courage, they’re discounted.  They’re not strong, aggressive, risky or competitive.  But they get the job done.  Wanna know more?  Stay tuned!