Last week, Morris and I studied courage. In the series, The 12 Traits of the Greats courage is defined as the mental or moral strength to venture. 12 Traits explains that courage is more about action than forethought and that success is simply the action of getting of the bleachers and getting involved.
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| Antoinette Tuff Photo from Gwinnett Daily Post |
That’s what Antoinette Tuff did this week when she persuaded a would-be murderer at an elementary school to put down his AK-47 and surrender to the police. She got involved.
Ms. Tuff didn’t wait for others to get involved. She didn’t wait to see what was going to happen. She didn’t analyze the perils of getting involved. She just went with the wisdom of Nike and just did it.
And, because of her courage untold lives were saved.
12 Traits says that when you force yourself to do the opposite of what your natural tendencies are telling you to do, and when you turn toward fear instead of away from it, your fear shrinks.
After hearing the story of Ms. Tuff, I decided to start marketing my writing again and shrinking my fears. You see, I had a couple of story ideas rejected in the past year…and it takes some time for me to bounce back. So, I haven’t submitted any articles to publishers in weeks. But, hearing Ms. Tuff’s story inspired me and gave me courage – I submitted three stories this week to newspapers and magazines.
Other folks in my family are shrinking their fears too. My brother, Izo, is leaving his job at a mortgage company this week to pursue his dream of being a producer- with no job prospects in sight. And my brother, Zaiah, has a tryout with a developmental team for the NBA in early September. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.
Courage has many faces, and here are a three that inspire me:
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| Sir Winston Churchill Photo from Wikipedia |
Howdy, SB! 😉 Two things…one: how did you hear about 12 Traits of the Greats? Was it recommended to you? Just curious. I've heard it's brilliant. 🙂 And two: my parents are my exemplars of courage. I've known this for a long while, but the *knowing* truly intensified when I travelled to West Africa earlier this year. While there, I profoundly recognized that my parents endured a *LOT* to emigrate here, and I told them as much as I hugged them immediately upon my return… xo, KB
Hi KB!
Thanks SO much for commenting!
I heard about 12 Traits from Dr. Dave Martin. He visited a church in my neighborhood, and Morris and I went to see him. His message was one of encouragement and, simply put, outlined how EVERYONE can achieve greatness. I also finished another book by him entitled the Force of Favor last week. Since, you are the first commentator in a while. I'll send you a copy of his book.
It warms my heart to hear that your parents embody such courage and I cannot imagine what they endured to emigrate. Isn't it funny how we are sometimes the beneficiary of someone else's courage, but don't *really* recognize it?
Thank you! And SB…I'd be remiss if I didn't also commend and honor, in the spirit of this very moment, some of the MANY Civil Rights leaders and activists who also exemplify courage–some of whom spearheaded The Movement we're celebrating today, and others who have profoundly benefitted from The Movement. Although I haven't done tremendous research, and I don't know the detailed histories and life stories of these individuals, I mention the following, in particular:
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Coretta Scott King
Martin Luther King III
Rev. Bernice King
President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Medgar Evers
Myrlie Evers-Williams
Julian Bond
Dorothy Irene Height
Jesse Jackson
Representative John Lewis
Rosa Parks
Rev. Al Sharpton
Oprah Winfrey
Ambassador Andrew Young