A crash course in changing the world.
Power Evocation: Courage
My EVOKE friend Amanda came up with this little game-within-a-game, Power Evocation. The rules are simple: Select one of the EVOKE powers, explain what it means to you, and name a real-world example or two (from your life, or your hero's, or any other example you like). Tag the post "game1" and the name of the power you chose, and Amanda will come by and give you a power-up. See the original post and rules.
EVOKE Power: Courage
I am inspired by courageous people both in fiction and in real life. One of my favorite fictional heroes is the main character from C. S. Forester's Hornblower series. Internally conflicted, he still chooses the courageous path, and then often denies that he showed courage at all. I also deeply admire the courage of people who, by their seemingly small acts, change society: the suffragettes, civil rights activists all over the globe, and others. From world leaders to everyday people, their courage has changed the world.
Courageous acts don't have to be huge, or to have such wide consequences. For many of us, it took courage to write to our chosen hero to say we had chosen them.
I try to be courageous. Not necessarily to take risks, since that's a different power altogether, but just to have enough courage to do the right thing when it's also the hard thing. To say what needs saying and do what needs doing. When I think back on the times in my life when I didn't do what was courageous, but chose instead to do what was easy or less painful or less confrontational, those have always been the darkest times. Those are the times that I am not proud of.
What do you need courage for today?
EVOKE Power: Courage
I am inspired by courageous people both in fiction and in real life. One of my favorite fictional heroes is the main character from C. S. Forester's Hornblower series. Internally conflicted, he still chooses the courageous path, and then often denies that he showed courage at all. I also deeply admire the courage of people who, by their seemingly small acts, change society: the suffragettes, civil rights activists all over the globe, and others. From world leaders to everyday people, their courage has changed the world.
Courageous acts don't have to be huge, or to have such wide consequences. For many of us, it took courage to write to our chosen hero to say we had chosen them.
I try to be courageous. Not necessarily to take risks, since that's a different power altogether, but just to have enough courage to do the right thing when it's also the hard thing. To say what needs saying and do what needs doing. When I think back on the times in my life when I didn't do what was courageous, but chose instead to do what was easy or less painful or less confrontational, those have always been the darkest times. Those are the times that I am not proud of.
What do you need courage for today?
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Comment by Amanda Jeffrey on March 5, 2010 at 12:20am -
Fantastic, ninmah, and you're right - sometimes it's the smallest act of courage that is the most difficult. It's easy to be 'brave' when there's people watching, judging, and egging you on - but when you're alone, and know deep in your heart that it's the right thing to do, despite the easy route - that's another kind of courage indeed.
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Comment by Ian Tuck on March 5, 2010 at 4:36am -
I've always enjoyed the definition of courage that says it's not "being fearless in the face of danger", but in fact "doing the right thing, even though you're terrified".
I struggle with courage every day. I'm trying to make significant changes in my life that involve leaving the safety of owning my own company and trying to participate in something that is bigger than myself. My Evoke experience is certainly helping me muster more of it. Thanks for sharing your experiences, ninmah.
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Comment by Marc Skaf on March 5, 2010 at 4:47am -
Courage is something that I lack. I hide behind physical strength by going to the gym and lifting weights. But courage? Well it seems to me that I am even afraid to apply for jobs now that I am graduating. I need courage for myself, to structure my future. That's what I need courage for today.
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Comment by ninmah on March 5, 2010 at 6:14am -
Ian and Marc, thanks for responding. I wish for both of you that you find the courage to do what you need to. Small steps first...
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