WHAT IS COURAGE?

In our modern world we often mistake courage for people that want to climb Mt. Everest, sail alone around the world or go skiing in high mountain places. Those people will say they do not want the average boring life but adventure and to say they did something courageous. Personally I do not think it is courage but self centered. There are too many risks that often end in tragedy. Recently the woman from Canada who died on Mt. Everest who was untrained and unexperienced risking her life unnecessarily. It made me think about courage. There are little situations every day where we face adversity. Rush hour on a major highway. Running afte a child bolting into a dangerous spot! Dealing with daily conflicts with compassion and assertiveness! The courage to get up every morning and face a day that is unwelcoming. Driving on a snowy day to work in order to earn a paycheque to put food on the table! To me, courage to try to be a good person, a good parent, a good spouse, a good friend when we may be surrounded by others who are needy and can take advantage of us! Yes, there are times you could save someone from a burning car or building or do CPR and really save a life, winning an award, getting your picture in the paper. God Bless those people who have done it! Having the courage to keep going! Facing a day! A week! A hard time! It takes strength and perservance! Daily courage is a real human value and virtue. For those of you reading this post, good for you to keep going! Like we say in English- the tough keep going when the going gets tough!