Courage

The Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz was going to see the Wizard to ask for courage.  All along the way he was doing brave acts.  Just like the Cowardly Lion, we all have courage and do courageous things, even when we think we don't.  Just to participate in this world it takes courage to be bold, brave, and unafraid to face tough challenges.  Courage pertains to battles, enemies, and heroes, but it also pertains to battles of the mind and the courage to surmount physical handicaps and health challenges.  Courage is to work toward goals and the vision of ourselves as the person we desire and strive to be.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "They conquer who believe they can.  He has not learned the lessons of life that does not each day surmount a fear."  And, this can be through love as well as resolute and undaunted determination.  The brave man recognizes the power of thought and isn't defeated by fear, anxiety, frustration, or anger, but rises above these negatives and assumes a positive and victorious approach to life in order to live with faith, trust, and love.  Courage is the willingness to do the right thing in spite of fear, and walk through it even when others are afraid.  It is a quality of spirit that enables us to face danger, pain, and failure.  It is to conquer fear doing the things we are afraid to do, and having trust in ourselves and who we are even though we are vulnerable.  When we are courageous, we are fearless, bold, heroic, and gallant enough to venture out from what we know, are comfortable with, and what is predictable in order to undertake new and daring adventures.  Robert Frost advises, "Have courage and a little willingness to venture and be defeated."  Courage is to be unafraid to take life as we find it and try to  improve ourselves, our community, and help the world at large.  Courage is to "carry on."