We think of a hero as someone who takes dangerous risks to save another person's life. More broadly, heroism is the willingness to be courageous in the face of fear in any arena of life. It can be about giving a speech, starting a challenging job, fighting bravely while struggling with an illness, or it can be small acts of self-sacrifice to help others or lift up their spirits. On the other side, cowardice is holding back for safety's sake. When cowardice is extreme, it works against having interesting adventures in life. There are also times when being cowardly serves us, especially when the risks of a particular course of action are too high. In those circumstances, listening to our fear and holding back is the wise thing to do.

Hero (1992), with Dustin Hoffman and Andy Garcia, is a film which shows both sides of the coward-hero drama. We see cowardliness in Hoffman's character (Bernie Laplante) at the start, yet he takes action when an airliner crashes, not because he is a hero, but because the situation calls for his help. He does what is needed, while being annoyed that he has to. During his rescue efforts, he loses one of his shoes, which becomes a marker to prove that he was there. When his heroic deed is done, he leaves the scene without wanting any thanks or recognition, until the media become involved and a reward offered to anyone who can identify the hero, whose shoe was found. Garcia plays John Bubber, his homeless friend, who has all the makings of a hero but no opportunity to prove it. The beauty of the film is revealed in the subtle ways it addresses the nature of cowardice and heroism.

Without giving the story away, there is a scene in Hero where Bernie and John are sitting on a ledge high up on a building, after John has threatened to jump. In the interaction between the two men, which itself makes seeing the film worthwhile, we learn that heroism is not just rescuing people during disasters, but helping them in moments of need. Heroism is a matter of the heart. Seeing this, we discover how we may be heroes in our everyday lives and where opportunities for heroism are available anywhere someone needs a bit of help. If you find yourself being too cowardly, "Without Courage" is a movie of the mind that will be helpful to you.

Your movie

In a moment, you will use your imagination to get a clearer picture of your inner movie about cowardice. The point of understanding this pattern of thoughts, feelings, and effects is to deepen your awareness of its dynamics and impact, so you can make conscious choices and create a new movie to live within.

Recall a time when you were cowardly. Close your eyes and replay the experience in your imagination. Then, write a brief description of that drama below, carefully including the thoughts that supported it, the feelings that arose from those thoughts, and how those feelings affected what you said and did. (Enter your response in the following box or in your word processor window.)

What effects did this drama have on you and others?

Consequences

Briefly describe what you get from being cowardly. What are the payoffs?

Briefly describe the price you pay for it. What parts of yourself and your life do you sacrifice when you are too cowardly?

Is what you are getting in payoffs worth the sacrifices you are making? Explain.

New choices

Having become more aware of your cowardice movie, including what you get from it and what you sacrifice, what new choices in thinking and being are being revealed to you? Note them.

Create a new movie

Relying on those choices and your creativity, sketch out ideas for a different movie which incorporates new ways of thinking and being. As you create your new movie, be aware that you are of two minds because you have a dual nature. Your duality gives you the capacity to shift from one thought to its opposite in a search for balance. For example, there is a side of you that can be brave. How will cultivating that capacity alter how you live?

As you look back on your work, identify the first step you will take to make the changes you designed.

With your eyes closed, imagine living in the new movie you created.

People who are too lacking in courage cut themselves off from taking risks, which are essential for cultivating a creative life. Sometimes their fear of failure is so great, they lack sufficient courage to counterbalance it. Their excessive fear causes them to play it too safe, so they hold back rather than pursuing a course of action as an adventure. When we realize that we are all cowardly in the face of fear, but can also be courageous and take risks, we find our balance.

Balance is the capacity to be courageous or cowardly depending on the circumstances. Both can serve us. When risks are too high and fear is warning us not to proceed, we might chose to be cowardly, hold back, and be proud of it. When the risks seem manageable and the potential rewards great, we might choose to be courageous and take the risk. The point is not to be in automatic about cowardice or courage, because, in their extreme form, both can get us into trouble. Working together, they can help keep us in balance so wisdom, not stupidity, arises from our decisions.

back to movie menu/ top/ home