COURAGE is real Confidence.

Photo by Iraj Jahanshahi on Facebook

COURAGE is real Confidence.

Parents and other super-ordinates concerned for the welfare and growth of children and subordinates, often want those in their charge to be confident.

But how can one give confidence to another person?  And what are we talking about really when we speak of confidence?   

Confidence is generally understood to be a kind of self-belief, strength and faith.  For the little one to be confident, the ground-bed of the relationship between the big one and the small one must be one of affirmation -- sincere care, support, praise and appreciation of the little one.

What is truly empowering or enCOURAGING, however, is not an exclusive focus on achievement and success, but an acceptance of failure as necessary for the little one's growth.  

The big one who trusts and allows the little one to risk failure, teaches the little one courage.  And true confidence is, in fact, courage.

photo: with thanks from Iraj Jahanshahi