Courage, it takes many forms. One does not have to go to war, or step out on the front lines at home as a police officer. One need not run into burning buildings or hang from a helicopter performing a daring rescue. One only needs to stand up to their fear. To take that step forward in spite of fear, in spite of the naysayers trying to tell you its impossible. To believe in yourself and ignore those who do not. To believe that you can because your strength comes from God. That your faith makes you strong.
I have said many times that I thought my late husband was a man of incredible courage. He stepped so far out of his comfort zone to provide for us, he wasn’t even in the same state much less zip code. There were a lot of reasons that he could have refused, but he didn’t. He faced the challenges and before his sudden death, was doing what he set out to do, provide for us. All the challenges that job brought, he met head on. He believed he could, and he did.
It takes courage, for a child to face a bully. Especially if the bully is older or bigger. It takes courage, for a child to go to an adult and tell them what is going on. Knowing that once the bully finds out, it will get worse before (if) it gets better. It takes courage, for a child being abused to seek help.
It takes courage, for a person of any age, in an abusive relationship, to get away, to seek help, knowing there is the possibility of the abuser seeking revenge.
It takes courage, to face an illness. To stand up and do what ever is needed and everything possible to beat it and regain good health. Then moving forward to protect that health to the very best of their ability. To learn what it takes and then put that knowledge into practice.
It takes courage, to risk one’s life, to save another in the face of terrorism.
It takes courage, to wade into a potentially dangerous situation to save an animal.
It takes courage, to practice one’s faith, when it is either not accepted, not understood, not the faith most practiced in an area. To stand in your faith, knowing you are risking your very life.
It takes courage, to be different.
It takes courage, to face life alone when you’ve lost a loved one.Whether that loss is through death, divorce, or any other reason. When you must learn how to do things, when you must make the calls, repair the pipes, construct the fence, face an unpleasant situation, when you never had to before.
It takes courage to live, when the world seems so dark.
For anyone who may need to hear this…
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remember, you are special. You are important. You are needed. You are a friend to many, you are family. You are, that is what is important, you ARE. YOU are. You are braver, more courageous than you realize. You are stronger. You are more capable. Step out of the shadows, break away from the box
and live!
Words from The Dirt Road 