Courageous Courage

By Kyle Feagans, brown belt

“YOU WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD WITHOUT COURAGE.  IT IS THE GREATEST QUALITY OF THE MIND, NEXT TO HONOR.” - ARISTOTLE

Definition of Courage: The ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action.

When I think of or hear the word COURAGE I think of those that have served our country with honor and integrity.  I think of “The Greatest Generation” those who served in World War II or those who served in Vietnam and the Korean War.  I think of the men and women who have served and those who are now serving our country.  These are men and women that knowingly signed up for a job that can put them in harm’s way.  Their desire and commitment serve and protect their family, friends and freedoms is more important than their own needs.

“LIFE IS MOSTLY FROTH AND BUBBLE.  TWO THINGS STAND LIKE STONE, KINDNESS IN ANOTHER'S TROUBLE, COURAGE IN YOUR OWN.” – ADAM LINDSAY GORDON

Exercising courage in not “following the crowd” does not come without challenges.  Not falling into the peer pressure trap can be especially challenging for children and young adults.  Knowing how to handle situations of seeing someone or they themselves being teased or bullied at school, on the school bus and on the playground present many challenges.  Encouraging them to solve and or bring these issues to those in charge can be difficult.  Many times they may be concerned that they will be called or thought as a “Tattle Tale” by their other classmates.  It takes courage to know right from wrong and then to act upon it.  It takes a lot of courage to be you, not who others want you to be.

“IT IS CURIOUS – CURIOUS THAT PHYSICAL COURAGE SHOULD BE SO COMMON IN THE WORLD AND MORAL COURAGE SO RARE.” – MARK TWAIN

Being courageous in the work place has it challenges.  It can take a lot of courage to stand up and say “That is not ethical” even when nobody would ever be the wiser.  When does the gray area cross the line?  It takes courage to step outside our comfort zones.  Being involved with CTI has helped me to step out of my shell.  It has given me the courage to be involved in food drives, to get to know people and be involved with the campus skits at the Summer Expos.  This type of courage has given me more confidence at home and work.

“COURAGE DOESN’T ALWAYS ROAR.  SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THE QUIET VOICE AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT SAYS I WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.” – MARY ANNE RADMACHER

We use some form of courage in our everyday lives.  Courage does not always require the “WOW” factor.  Courage can be seen every day in the simplest of forms.  Courage can be as simple as saying “I am going to vacuum the house before watching television or playing video games today.  Or I am going to do twenty five pushups and fifty sit ups before I get into bed each night this week.  Courage may be in saying, “I need to eat lunch at my desk today; I need to finish this task and need the extra few minutes to finish." Opportunities to exercise courage are all around us…sometimes we do not even realize that we have already been doing it!