Learn, Share, Grow - Living with Courage and Compassion

Below is a lesson from Brian Johnson's Heroic on daily courage, compassion and hope, as well as our key learnings.

The Blue Courage team is dedicated to continual learning and growth.  We have adopted a concept from Simon Sinek’s Start With Why team called “Learn, Share, Grow”.  We are constantly finding great articles, videos, and readings that have so much learning.  As we learn new and great things, this new knowledge should be shared for everyone to then grow from.

Buddhism Day by Day

Brian Johnson's Heroic

Watch the video by clicking on the image above or here.

Subscribe to Heroic for more inspiration here.

Key Learnings:

• Every day is a new beginning — each morning offers a chance to grow and renew yourself.

• Change starts within — shifting your mindset is the foundation for transforming your life.

• Hope is an active choice — even in difficulty, choosing hope fuels resilience.

• Courage is consistency — quiet, steady effort builds true strength and greatness.

• Happiness is service — fulfillment deepens when we contribute to others.

• The present is a gift — today holds the opportunity to take one meaningful step forward. 

Want a deeper dive? Check out Brian Johnson's Philosopher's Notes on this book when you subscribe.

Key Learnings from his philosopher's notes:

• Enlightenment is Moment-to-Moment

  • True awakening isn’t a far-off state but a continual inner choice—moment by moment—to act from wisdom and compassion rather than delusion or negativity.

  • Happiness is unconquerable when we win these small inner battles daily.

• The Power of a Vow

  • Halfhearted wishes aren’t enough—greatness requires a vow, a solemn promise to stay committed to meaningful goals despite obstacles.

  • Determination changes everything: when we resolve to be victorious, every part of us aligns with that intention.

• Happiness is Dynamic Engagement

  • Happiness isn’t found in passivity or escape, but in vibrant struggle—climbing obstacles, striving toward worthy goals, and finding joy in the climb itself.

  • Growth and fulfillment emerge from becoming, not staying fixed.

• True Optimism is Resilience

  • Optimism isn’t naive positivity; it’s the capacity to face setbacks and declare, “That was nothing,” while pressing forward with willpower and hope.

  • Strength comes from rising again and again, undefeated by adversity.

• Gratitude as a Foundation for Humanity

  • Just as trees grow from soil, we flourish because of the nurturing we’ve received from parents, teachers, communities, and others.

  • True growth requires recognizing this debt of gratitude and giving back by becoming “nurturing soil” for others.

• Books as Medicine for the Soul

  • Reading is a dialogue with oneself, sparking reflection, inner revolution, and personal growth.

  • Books that challenge and inspire us act as medicine, keeping us young in spirit and connected to deeper wisdom.

• True Worth is Effort and Devotion

  • Our value doesn’t lie in wealth, fame, or status but in the sincerity, effort, and devotion we bring to our chosen path.

  • Full effort itself is victory—living each day “all in” is where true satisfaction lies.