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Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death. --Omar N. Bradley
Life seems to be demanding a great deal of us these days. In few respects can we say that we live ordinary lives, whatever that used to mean. We are called to action in ways that many of us feel very uncomfortable. We fear the judgments of others, the ostracism of the angry group, the dangers of being on the wrong side of the mob.
When we think of bravery, we usually think of our military, the men and women who risk their lives to defend our country. But life calls on us to search our own personal resources when the Left threatens. We might be tempted to remain silent, hoping others will speak out and take the risks that defending our values requires. We hope that our silent support of them will somehow buoy them up, encourage them to hold the line, which is rapidly fading. We may be waiting for just the right cause to “show up” so that we can enlist and do our part to save the country.
But when we wait passively, the opportunity rarely shows up.
These are times when we are called to move beyond our fear. If we wait until we are no longer afraid, our fear will often intensify and make us less powerful. So, when that moment arrives to join others who are taking a stand, and we are willing to grasp it, we can make a powerful statement through our words and actions.
Even though we are scared half to death.
Discussion (10)
MODERATOR
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Today, speaking truth is an act of bravery. Performing comedy is an act of bravery. Putting up an Oct 7 hostage poster is an act of bravery. Protecting someone else's speech is an act of bravery. Talking politics at the Thanksgiving dinner table is an act of bravery. Going without a mask is an act of bravery. Telling your local school board that sexualizing kindergarteners is wrong, is an act of bravery. Telling the medical establishment that they should not mutilate children, is an actor bravery. Not caring what anyone else thinks, is an act of bravery.
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Hear! Hear! Excellent examples that people can relate to in their own lives. They just need to act and speak aloud.
CONTRIBUTOR • CHARTER MEMBER
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It's good to get over the idea that for heroes, it's easy to be brave. Not so. It isn't easy for anybody.
Thanks for yet another great post, Susan!
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Thanks so much, Gary. And you are right: it isn't easy for most of us!
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Having spent much time in Israel, I say without reservation that Israelis are the bravest people on earth. Surrounded by enemies who want to wipe them off the map, Israelis go about their daily business with an abundance of joy and wit. In Israel, no matter how much wisdom there is in what you say, the other person is bound to outdo and upend whatever you said with a witty response. This hints at what gives Israelis their advantage on the field of battle: the power to improvise.
You will need to understand Hebrew to get the full effect of Israelis' courage, their joy, and their wit, but I think it's worth learning the language if only for this.
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