I am back after
a week hiatus for spring break. While on
spring break I went to see the new Cinderella movie with my family. I have to admit that the story of Cinderella
is one of my favorites and I never tire of the new versions that are released
from time to time. Some I enjoy more than others … but this one I really
enjoyed a lot because it emphasized two timeless principles that I would like
to make the focus of my next two blog posts.
The line from the movie that caught my attention was this – “I want to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer - have courage and be kind!” I think these two
attributes will bring HOPE into our lives if practiced faithfully and
consistently. I will talk about courage in this post and about kindness in my
post next week.
The word Courage
comes from the latin word cor meaning the heart and is defined as the ability
to do something that frightens one or strength in the face of pain or grief. A
Middle English definition denotes the heart as the seat or source of this
ability or strength.
Often we think
of Courage as an attribute of soldiers and others that put themselves in harms
way or risk their lives to help or protect others. The men and women in the
military, law enforcement, and other public service professions including
members of fire departments etc. are very courageous and do provide a very honorable
and valuable service to our communities and each of us – for this they deserve
our loyalty and admiration.
But there are
others who manifest what I call quite courage.
These are they who without fanfare face ravaging disease or devote a
significant time to care for a loved one with health challenges or a terminal
illness. Quite courage is manifested by others that go beyond the call of duty
to minister to the needs of others; that put service to others above comfort of
self. For these individuals – courage is
a way of life not a trite platitude. "Scottish poet and novelist Robert
Louis Stevenson declared, “Everyday courage has few witnesses. But yours is no
less noble because no drum beats for you and no crowds shout your name.” “Courage … is … not only … a willingness to
die manfully but also … the determination to live decently.” (Thomas
S Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
“Courage comes
in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: “Courage is not
limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house.
The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like
remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when
you’re misunderstood.” I would add that this inner courage also includes doing
the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk
of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a
loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which
is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular.” (Thomas
S Monson)
President Ronald
Reagan affirmed; “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We
must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.”
There are many
that live quite; moral lives that do the right thing, at the right time, for
the right reason even, (and especially) when it’s inconvenient or awkward. Quite courage sometimes means doing hard or
unpleasant tasks and often requires that we act. Dale Carnegie opined; “Inaction
breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to
conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”
Courage
sometimes requires, as Winston Churchill taught, that we stand up and speak and
at other times mandates that we sit down and listen.
Lynn G Robbins
wisely taught, “While it certainly takes courage to face perils, the true badge
of courage is overcoming the fear of men. For example, Daniel’s prayers helped
him face lions, but what made him lionhearted was defying King Darius (see Daniel 6).
That kind of courage is a
gift of the Spirit to the God-fearing who have said their
prayers. Queen Esther’s prayers also gave her that same courage to confront her
husband, King Ahasuerus, knowing that she risked her life in doing so (see Esther
4:8–16).”
Click on this
link and watch this short meaningful video about Ester and three modern women
who faced adversity with courage!
It is easy to become
discouraged when faced with trials and adversity but, “discouragement is not
the absence of adequacy but the absence of courage.” (Neal
A Maxwell) When we face the challenges of life with
courage rather than fear we are able to boldly go forward with renewed hope and
faith. Therefore, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not
afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)
Till next time, keep your head up!
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