courage ...

Courage.

It can mean so many different things to so many people. Mark Twain said it was the mastery of fear, not the absence of it. I've heard it said (don't know by whom exactly) that courage is fear that has said its prayers.

I do know that I have been reminded of it and have seen it several times in the past few days.

Courage was what Frank DeAngelis, Principal of Columbine High School, demonstrated on the day of the school shootings 10 years ago this week. When he heard the shots and saw the shooters, he could have run away from the gunfire, but he didn't. He courageously ran toward the shooters to help some nearby students to safety. Then, after the shootings, he faced accusations and lawsuits made against him personally... and courageously continued to be the principal and to help the students deal with the tragedy they had faced together. (read yesterday's article by my friend Tina Mather)

Conscience is the root of all true courage; if a man would be brave let him obey his conscience. ~James Freeman Clarke

I saw courage again a few days ago when I watched the video clip of Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. (if you haven't seen it already, do take the time to watch the clip...it is well worth the 7 minutes! I was in tears.) Though people in the audience were laughing at her from the moment she started walking across the stage, she did not waver. She courageously walked out onto that stage and boldly did what she came to do--spoke her mind, sang her song, and ultimately, made her dream come true.

The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity. ~Rollo May

And, this week I saw incredible courage demonstrated by Miss California, Carrie Prejean, in the 2009 Miss USA Pageant. When she was posed the question of what she thought of gay marriage, she knew the "right" answer. She knew the politically correct response to the question, and she also knew that to give the "right" answer would be so very wrong for her to do. And, so, when faced with the probability of losing the very thing she was there to win --the Miss USA crown-- if she gave the answer she knew to be true, Carrie courageously spoke from her convictions. She courageously told Perez Hilton, all of the folks at the pageant, and all of the US (and the world!) that she disagreed with gay marriage... and, as a result, lost the crown. (I have never been more proud of someone representing our state!!)

Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character. ~Margaret Chase Smith

Each of these people showed true courage. They faced death, ridicule, loss... and in so doing displayed amazing character! I stand in awe of each of them and am proud of each one. May we be inspired by these and so many other acts of courage we see around us every day... deeds both large and small... and may we join them in following the path of courage.