What is courage? Courage can be defined in many ways, but in essence it is doing something that you know is good or right, even though it may be dangerous, or frightening, or very difficult.
Examples of courage exist all around us. They come in all sizes and stories, from obvious and monumental to what many might consider small and inconsequential. Yet, to the person who has exercised courage, the act is of great significance, and it can be life-changing for the recipient.
Often we think of courageous acts as those in which someone risks their safety or even their life to help someone else. Perhaps the individual has chosen a career that requires courage on a daily basis: firefighter, law enforcement officer, emergency responder, or member of the military, for example. Others volunteer when a critical situation arises that requires emergency assistance, such as a natural disaster. There are those who spring into action when they happen on the scene of an accident, a fire, or a person or animal in danger of drowning. These are usually people who do not stop to think about themselves, but simply do what must be done to help.
From time to time some individuals who take courageous actions will be featured in the news media. Recently there was report about a ninety-year-old woman who had an appointment to get her COVID-19 vaccine. This was very important to her, but there was a problem. A snowstorm had closed the roads, and she had no transportation to get to the clinic. Not to be deterred, she walked the three miles to get there, got her vaccine, waited the required fifteen minutes, and walked the three miles back home. That took tremendous courage.
Then there are everyday acts of courage that rarely get mentioned. Most people who exercise courage on a daily basis go unnoticed. The child who stands up to a bully, or sits at lunch with another who has been shunned, or invites that rejected child to play, or chooses them for their team. The parent who works two or three jobs to take care of their family. The grandparents who take on the task of raising their grandchildren. The person who befriends an unpopular individual or takes a stand for what is right, even though everyone else chooses what is popular or easy. These are all acts of courage.
Sometimes, when life has become overwhelming or everything that matters has crumbled around you, having courage means just getting up in the morning, just moving forward, just putting one foot in front of the other, just trying again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, even though it seems hopeless. Often that takes more courage than the acts we hear about and see in the headlines.
Each of us has been given the capacity to take courageous actions. Every person has the ability to exercise courage in whatever situation may be presented to them. Anyone can be courageous, but each of us must decide whether or not we use this precious gift. What we choose – whether we take action or hold back, whether we step out when no one else will or stay with the crowd – will make all the difference.
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Biography
Mary Jean Simpson has been fascinated by the beauty and magic of words, music, and the arts for as long as she can remember. Her varied careers as a professional musician, a university professor (first in music and later teaching Professional Writing), and a writer and editor have provided opportunities to fully utilize the arts. Living in a variety of places and interacting with many people has brought her invaluable experience. Years of being owned by dogs and cats has allowed her not only to enjoy their unconditional love, but also to participate in various dog sports. Her cats have created their own sports.
Creating journals, planners, coloring books, and activity books for adults and kids brings its own special delight and joy. They can be found on amazon.com. Additional Print on Demand products and Printables can be found in her Etsy store, morethanprintables.