We often find ourselves lacking the courage we need to escape from our self-imposed box that defines our life, job and future. We find it almost impossible to achieve our goals, to follow our passions, to find the dream job, to overcome our challenges and to live our life in the way in which we would like. How does one shake off this feeling of inertia? One source of inspiration could be to look at those people whose courage has enabled them to make a real impact on the world.

Here is a list of some well-known courageous people who have made a real difference:

(Not in any particular order…) 

Michelle Obama whose courage has fuelled her mission to help keep girls in school around the world in order to provide them with an education.

Angelina Jolie whose courage empowers her to act a UNHCR Ambassador.

Paul David Hewson (Bono) whose courage drives him to fight poverty and hunger and to strive for a better world.

Bill Gates whose courage empowered him to set up the Bill & Mellina Foundation against poverty, together with his wife. 

Tatyana McFadden, Jessica Long, Bethany Hamilton, Kyle Maynard, incredible athletes whose courage empowers them to conquer their disabilities.

Sir Edmund Hillary whose courage and determination made him one of the first people to climb Mount Everest.

Abraham Lincoln whose courage led to the abolition of slavery in America 

Martin Luther King whose courage instilled people to fight against discrimination.

Nelson Mandela whose courage to speak out made the world aware of the unjust system of Apartheid in South Africa.

Mahatma Gandhi whose courage enabled him to lead the Indian independence movement against Britain.

The Dalai Lama whose courage led him, by means of non-violent resistance, to rule in Tibet.

Aung San Suu Kyi whose courage empowered her to stand up for democratic principles in her country Burma 

Amelia Earhart whose courage drove her to be the first female to fly across the Atlantic.

Mother Teresa whose courage made it her mission to devote her life to the poor and disadvantaged across the world.

Sir Ernest Shackleton, the polar explorer, whose courage gave him the strength to lead three British expeditions to the Antarctic.

Take the courage to learn from the courage of others to move forward!