Slice of Life
What would you do if you were brave?
Holland —
This week began with the celebration of Memorial Day, our annual remembrance of the courageous men and women who died while serving our country. Courage, however, is not only shown on the battlefield.
I think of courage when I remember the story of the singer, Susan Boyle, who bravely walked on stage for the first time a few years’ ago to audition for a television talent competition in England.
Despite her fears and the snears of the judges, Boyle, a grey-haired, middle-aged woman who hardly looked like your typical pop star, wowed the initially skeptical audience with her amazing rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream.” Since then, she has gone on to sell millions of records and perform around the world.
Despite her fears and the snears of the judges, Boyle, a grey-haired, middle-aged woman who hardly looked like your typical pop star, wowed the initially skeptical audience with her amazing rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream.” Since then, she has gone on to sell millions of records and perform around the world.
Often times, Boyle hears “Bravo!” at the end of her concerts. The word bravo comes from the same root word as the word brave, so when we cheer it, we are actually applauding the performer for their bravery, for being vulnerable enough to sing the song of the heart.
The word courage comes from the Latin word for heart, so when we act courageously or encourage one another, we are acting from the core of our hearts.
I think, too, of courage when I think of Jason Collins, the basketball player who last month became the first openly gay male athlete in U.S. major pro sports history. President Obama reached out by phone to Collins, telling him he was impressed by his courage.
I think, too, of courage when I think of Jason Collins, the basketball player who last month became the first openly gay male athlete in U.S. major pro sports history. President Obama reached out by phone to Collins, telling him he was impressed by his courage.
So, today, I’d like you to ask yourself: What step would you take today if you were brave? What’s keeping you from singing your heart’s song or living life more authentically? Could it be fear of what others might think of you?
Remember the Cowardly Lion from “The Wizard of Oz?” He thought that because he was king of the jungle that he shouldn’t have any fears, but he did, so he went to see the Wizard to ask for courage. What he discovered is that you can’t have courage unless you’re afraid.
Remember the Cowardly Lion from “The Wizard of Oz?” He thought that because he was king of the jungle that he shouldn’t have any fears, but he did, so he went to see the Wizard to ask for courage. What he discovered is that you can’t have courage unless you’re afraid.
Mark Twain wrote, “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the mastery of fear,” and Elenor Roosevelt famously proclaimed, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
I think it’s very interesting how similar the words scared and sacred are to one another. Maybe it’s only in those moments when we face our fears that we become more of who we were created to be, more whole or holy.
So, the next time fear is breathing down your neck, keeping you from experiencing more of life’s greatness, remember the words of the brave movie cowboy, John Wayne, who said, “Courage is being scared to death ... and saddling up anyway.”
— Salvatore Sapienza is a freelance writer and author who lives and works in Saugatuck. He can be reached at miwriter@gmail.com.
So, the next time fear is breathing down your neck, keeping you from experiencing more of life’s greatness, remember the words of the brave movie cowboy, John Wayne, who said, “Courage is being scared to death ... and saddling up anyway.”
— Salvatore Sapienza is a freelance writer and author who lives and works in Saugatuck. He can be reached at miwriter@gmail.com.
Read more: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/features/x514116289/Slice-of-Life#ixzz2VfBgl8e
D
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.