{"data":[{"id":325,"submitterId":844,"answerId":127,"questionText":"

Hello!

My question is for Anne-Marie Bertram: What can help me to distinguish between trust and courage?

I’ve been dancing for several years and when I observe myself during dance improvisations, I notice that I’m constantly weighing up which risks I’m willing to take and which I’m not. The form of dance I practise also involves acrobatic elements (see video), which are sometimes performed with completely unfamiliar dance partners.

This means you expose yourself to the possibility of being injured or of experiencing unpleasant sensations. Sometimes this requires courage; at other times, trust: So where exactly do the boundaries lie between necessary ‘not knowing’ (which is probably more the ‘courage’ side?) and the willingness to enter into these situations with trust? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKOrSX0tn0

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Dear Ms Rothenburger

Thank you very much for your fascinating question!

First of all, huge congratulations on your dancing – it looks marvellous.

Vulnerability

From a scientific point of view, vulnerability is a necessary prerequisite for trust. You have something to ‘lose’ and you place your trust in the other person when you believe that they are capable, have integrity and mean well by you.

But of course, the worry that it might not work out still remains. Trust therefore always requires courage. In your case, I’d put it this way: you can see all the things that could go wrong. You might fall over, hurt yourself, or simply not look your best when performing in front of others, etc. – these are your vulnerabilities.

The courage to trust

Do you believe that you, the relationship/chemistry with your dance partner, and your dance partner are capable of ensuring these vulnerabilities do not become a reality – in other words, of catching you, for example? If so, then trust yourself, the relationship/chemistry and your dance partner. Now all you need is the courage to actively put that trust into practice. In other words, take the active step of living out that trust.

Does that help you?

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Vulnerability

Researchers

Anna-Marie Bertram

Questions

What is the difference between trust and courage?