Courage becomes visible when there is still something meaningful to lose.

Nothing at stake means nothing to be brave about. Courage becomes real precisely when there is something you could genuinely lose: standing, money, a relationship, the version of yourself you like. That is what makes it cost something, and also what makes it worth noticing in yourself and others.

If a decision feels frightening, take that as a sign it involves something you actually care about rather than as a reason to retreat. Ask what specifically is at risk and whether that thing is worth what you are pursuing. Sometimes it is not. When it is, the fear stops being an argument.