Courage Hype
We tend to make courage too dramatic. Courage is often doing something simple, unpleasant, or boring again and again until we get it down pat. People who are physically challenged and who have the determination to get around their handicaps are great examples because their courage makes them test their limits every day.
– Dave Thomas (1932-2002) Founder of Wendy’s International Restaurant Chain
Isn’t that the truth - We have movies about courage that might lead us to believe that courage, real courage is the stuff of great drama and bullet facing heroics. But it is so much more than that.
Courage is going in for your first chemo-therapy treatment and then after getting absolutely sick from it…going back for you next.
Courage is sitting at the bed side of a sick child and praying for a miracle and for the faith and strength to let them go if that is required.
Courage is the person who gets up every morning rain or shine and goes running not because they love to run, but because they know they need to run.
Courage is saying no to desert at the resturaunt or walking by the cookie jar at home when no one is looking because you made a commitment to eat healthier and cut back on sugar.
Courage is telling your child no when you are tired and don’t want to have a battle of wills or perhap you just want them to think you are cool.
Courage is when you tell your family that we are having a “No Technology” day or weekend. That instead we are going to read, talk, walk, and play together.
Courage happens when we walk out of a movie, or turn one off at home because we just know that we don’t need to watch or listen to that kind of harsh or filthy imagery.
Courage is instead picking up a book to read quietly or gathering our family and reading together.
Courage is approaching a co-worker and apologizing for something you said recently that didn’t need to be said or could have been said with more tact.
Courage is making an effort to be less cynical and less sarcastic…when no one else is.
Courage is found in change and in making an effort to change who we are so we can stop just being, and start becoming more.
Courage and initiative are cousins… the person with courage takes it, and the person with initiative demonstrates courage everytime they do what is needed that no one else has was willing to do.
Courage is choosing what is best over what is convenient.
Courage is a choice….
I’m just writing stuff…. that I’m thinking of while I sit in the Sandman Hotel in Toronto Canada…. but I’d love to hear from you. What is courage, quite courage to you?
Choose Courage
KIrk
February 27th, 2013 at 11:50 am
I love that quote and keep it on my fridge to read daily. Here’s another for the list that popped into my head ….
Courage is getting out of bed in the morning and facing the day full on even when you know that anything could happen.
February 27th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Wow, how timely! I just returned from a step walking jaunt as part of my getting healthy program. While taking the stairs up, several of us chatted about if we want to avoid things like diabetes and high blood pressure, we MUST get moving and eat healthier. So for me, courage is making myself get away from this computer a few times a day and walk those stairs regardless of how daunting the task. Progress will only be made if I make it happen.
I have a handicapped friend who, in spite of being in pain almost constantly, is a huge encourager and grateful to God for her life.
And, I recently walked out of a movie because I just couldn’t view the violence and filth. I was reminded to always read the Plugged In Movie Review before going to the theatre.
I am very thankful for your words of wisdom, Kirk!
February 27th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
This reminds me so much of the song that just came on Pandora - Orianthi’s “Courage”. It’s continuing to move even when you’re afraid, continuing to live even when your in pain, getting back up no matter how many times you’ve been knocked down…it’s making a change for the better.
February 27th, 2013 at 2:23 pm
COURAGE IS… staying at college when, on the first weekend, your boyfriend breaks up with you, and home is 3 hours away, and you feel like your world just dropped out from underneath you, studying abroad, working and learning, obtaining a degree in education. That’s what the eldest sister does. (Now, happily married to a different man, successful career in education and 2 beautiful children.)
COURAGE IS… graduating from highschool at 16, attending college in a new state, far from home, making new friends, getting over homesickness, studying abroad in Spanish-speaking country, graduating with undergraduate degree. Attending college in yet another new town, again establishing new friends, overcoming homesickness, graduating with masters degree and deciding where to pursue PhD. Currently teaching and obtaining PhD in YET ANOTHER STATE far from home, and yes, that is the middle sister’s responsibility.
COURAGE IS… the youngest sister, attending college out of state, far away, terribly homesick, making new friends, studies abroad, ready to graduate this year with degree in education.
COURAGEOUS YOUNG WOMEN, pursuing their dreams, with daily steps of courage. I am SO PROUD OF MY DAUGHTERS and love them dearly. THEY ARE MY INSPIRATION!
February 27th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Wonderful list.
Courage is being kindly honest . . . even if it makes you unpopular with the “kiss up” crowd.
February 27th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
This reminds me of the age old “Love is….”
“Courage is” Standing up for something or someone because you know it is right, also knowing it will make you unpopular.
“Courage is” taking a chance on something different.
and yes, “Courage is” a demonstration of Love.