When you hear the word coward, what does it mean to you? You pause for a moment because it’s not a gentle word. It carries weight. It stings. You can almost feel it settle somewhere deep inside. You wonder, does it affect everyone the same way, or does it only hurt when it feels personal?
If you were to look up the definition, you might expect it to describe someone small, weak, or fearful. Maybe you imagine someone who blends into the background, avoids conflict, and lacks the courage to stand up for themselves or others. Perhaps you’ve heard coward associated with the color yellow; a symbol of fear, of someone with no backbone, no strength, no bravery.
But is that really what a coward looks like?
You start to question the idea. If a coward is someone with no courage, who do they become over time? Do they stay invisible, or do they learn how to hide in plain sight?
You think about the people who appear strong, the ones who command attention the moment they enter a room. They seem confident, fearless, ready to protect others before protecting themselves. They speak boldly, take charge, and are often the first ones chosen, admired, or followed. They appear athletic, capable, and unafraid to stand in front of a crowd.
Now ask yourself: if you searched the word coward, would the definition ever describe this person?
You begin to realize that cowardice isn’t always about fear of danger. Sometimes it’s about fear of responsibility. You notice that a coward may avoid accountability, blame others for their mistakes, and dodge the hard conversations that need to happen. They may face danger head-on, yet still lack the courage to face themselves.
This is the kind of person you don’t see coming. They don’t even recognize their own cowardice. For some, cowardice has a color. For others, it’s a behavior.
You start to see how validation plays a role. You recognize the person who acts at the expense of others just to feel important. The one who needs the crowd, the applause, the title of hero. You wonder, do you know this person? Or harder still… could this person be you?
You feel the confusion they leave behind. You question your worth. You ask yourself if you’re lovable, understandable, or enough. And then you stop.
You look around. You breathe. You ask the most important question of all: Is this the coward you want to be?
Maybe true courage isn’t standing at the front of the room. Maybe it’s choosing integrity over attention. Maybe it’s being noticed without needing to step on anyone else.
So ask yourself, who is truly the coward?
This powerful reflection is one of many found in Kimberly Jo Correia’s book, Transcending Through Time, a collection of thought-provoking writings that challenge perception, identity, and human behavior. The book invites you to look inward, question what you believe, and redefine strength on your own terms.
Transcending Through Time is now available on Amazon, and it just might change the way you see yourself and the world around you.