Courage
One of my friends turned me onto the Season for Nonviolence - a 64 daily practice project.
Today’s practice is on Courage.
Eleanor Roosevelt has urged, “You must do the things that you think you cannot do.” Courage is the ability to do what is in your heart. Today, really listen to what is in your heart.
Courage is one of the characteristics I feel should be written into my job description. Really, into the job description of anyone working in the Child Welfare field. Standing up for what you believe is in the best interest of the child, standing up for what you believe is ethically and morally sound, and standing up – sometimes – against bureaucracy and the almighty bottom line … requires Courage. And when you are told No, it takes Courage to get back up and do it all again tomorrow.
I’m also finding that it takes a lot of Courage to look at myself, admit my weaknesses and shadow areas, and work to integrate them into the Wholeness that I’m striving for Ultimately. It’s one thing to admit to myself that I have areas I’m working on, but making sure I’m honest with others – truly honest, without trying to gloss over the issues or make excuses – that’s really hard.
When I was little and the Wizard of Oz came on television, I always got so jazzed when the Lion would sing about Courage. I would even grab a towel or blanket and act out the scene with him being caped & crowned by Dorothy & friends. “If I were the King of the Foreeeeeeest! Not Queen. Not Duke. Not Prince.”
I guess the greatest show of Courage is Love. If Courage is doing what is in your Heart – then Courage is Love. Loving ourselves and others – truly, and without reservation – is true Courage.
