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Reflections of The Courage to Create, By Rollo May Ph.D. Psychoanalyst 1975

Karen Chambre LCSW, PSY.D ca
3 min readNov 18, 2024

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Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to confront it.

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"The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice but conformity." Rollo May

Rollo May wrote this famous book in 1975. Given the political climate and the emphasis on creativity in relationships, it seems relevant to 2024. May also wrote that the courage to be vulnerable allows people to have better relationships and confront challenges.

The Courage to Create.

The courage to create encompasses the confrontation of fear and vulnerability. When artists or writers work from their deep internal selves, they must have the courage that others will see deep inside them. They must be courageous enough to bear their naked, unconscious truth, take strength, and confront shame. Creators who have this courage allow others to gain strength from their work.

Courage in Relationships

Relationships in recent times have not been as stable as in past generations. There are many reasons people separate. People grow apart. People have a hard time tolerating agreeing to disagree. Differences in…

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Karen Chambre LCSW, PSY.D ca
Karen Chambre LCSW, PSY.D ca

Written by Karen Chambre LCSW, PSY.D ca

As a psychotherapist, it has been a pleasure to help clients overcome their internal and external challenges over the last 40 years.

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