May 27--Simple Life Courage

The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of the final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy. 
  --John F. Kennedy

    This encourages thoughts within me about the courage in daily living. These things take courage:

• learning to walk
• getting on that giant bus and going to school
• making friends
• taking tests
• learning to swim
• asking someone out
• learning to drive a car
• getting married
• living long-term with another human
• owning a pet
• stating one's needs
• buying a house
• living within one's means
• birthing children
• raising children
• witnessing a child's illness or failure
• maintaining a self-care discipline
• changing jobs or careers
• traveling to unfamiliar areas
• becoming an empty-nester
• undergoing medical treatment or surgery
• growing old

    I doubt we think much about these natural parts of life as taking courage--these are the "less dramatic spectacles." We are using our courage muscles from day one, and yes, there can certainly be a mix of triumph and tragedy. The glory of being human is that we keep forging ahead, one day at a time. 

    Onward,

        Leta