Have Courage and Go Forth

Take away the courageous; take away the world

Apr 09, 2023

The Writer’s Thoughts

What have you done today?

No, seriously, what have you done? Has your quest for endless entertainment, the digital opiate of the masses, lulled you into a state of anesthetized complacency? Have you drowned out the call to arms with scrolling?

If you strip away the countless distractions and the fake online world, you will discover the one universal truth: courage is the essence of humanity. It is the fire in our veins, the spark that ignited our ancestors to stand upright and defy the prehistoric darkness.

The world we inhabit is riddled with uncertainty.

We are assailed by a litany of fears, both real and imagined. And yet, we continue to forget this most crucial of lessons: to be alive is to be courageous.

Do you remember that one time when you had a fleeting thought of standing up in a room to voice your true opinion? But then, like a moth entrapped in a web, you were ensnared by the fear of being “othered”. Of being called out

Another tweet, another meme, another video, distracting us from the pulse in our head and chest that says “DO MORE”.

The truth is that courage is an act of defiance. It is the quiet rebellion against the dreary march of modernity. It is the yearning of the soul to burst forth and claim its rightful place in this world.

So I ask you, have you forgotten the taste of courage? Have you forsaken the legacy of your forebears, those intrepid explorers and revolutionaries who dared to dream of a better tomorrow?

Food For Thought

Maya Angelou |"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because, without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently."

Maya Angelou dared to defy the shackles of discrimination and fear. Amidst the distractions of a world obsessed with ephemera, Angelou's work sings the eternal anthem of courage. Her life, a testament to resilience and defiance, forged a path for those who dare to hope.
In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Angelou takes us on a harrowing journey, exposing the brutality of racism while simultaneously championing the power of courage. She writes, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." With these words, Angelou implores us to break free from our self-imposed prisons and embrace our own tales of bravery.
Her poem, "Still I Rise," captures the indomitable spirit of courage, despite adversity. "You may shoot me with your words, / You may cut me with your eyes, / You may kill me with your hatefulness, / But still, like air, I'll rise." With unyielding conviction, Angelou calls us to rise above the fray, urging us to face the fears that cripple and bind.
Theodore Roosevelt | "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt, a titan among men, strides through the annals of history with a purposeful gait. A champion of courage, he epitomized the very essence of the word.
Born a sickly child, Roosevelt chose not to cower behind the confines of his infirmity. Instead, he embraced the transformative power of courage, sculpting his body and spirit into a formidable force. Are we not all afforded this choice - to confront adversity head-on and emerge victorious?
Roosevelt as a young man
Roosevelt's indomitable spirit extended to his presidency. His conservation efforts, for example, demanded the courage to defy powerful economic interests in order to preserve America's natural treasures. Can we not learn from his example, to prioritize the greater good over self-interest?
But it is in his words that Roosevelt's legacy of courage truly resonates. Contemplate his "Man in the Arena" speech, where he extols the virtues of daring greatly and risking failure. This masterful passage urges us to step into the arena, to cast aside our doubts, and to choose courage over complacency.
Thomas Paine | "The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

Thomas Paine, a revolutionary thinker and founding father, was a man of courage in both word and deed. In an age defined by complacency and blind obedience to authority, he dared to challenge the status quo. His seminal work, "Common Sense," published in 1776, was an impassioned call for independence from British rule. With simple, powerful language, Paine ignited a spark of courage within his readers, urging them to rise and break free from the chains of tyranny.
In "The American Crisis," Paine penned the immortal words, "These are the times that try men's souls." With these words, he acknowledged the hardships faced by the revolutionaries and emboldened them to persevere. Paine's writings were not just an exercise in intellectual rebellion, but also a manifestation of the courage he sought to inspire in others.
But Paine's courage extended beyond his writings. He risked life and liberty to defend his ideals, even enduring imprisonment in France during the French Revolution. In the face of adversity, Paine never wavered in his convictions.

Can you not see the echoes of his bravery in your own life, urging you to challenge the status quo and fight for what you believe in? Let Thomas Paine's legacy be a testament to the power of courage and its ability to change the world.

The Gallery

Behold "The Third of May 1808" by Francisco Goya (1814)

Behold "The Third of May 1808," Francisco Goya's masterful depiction of courage in the face of brutality. The painting captures a moment of defiance, a fleeting instance of humanity's indomitable spirit amidst the darkness of war. Goya forces us to confront the essence of courage, laid bare in the stark contrast between light and shadow.

On that fateful night, French soldiers executed Spanish rebels who dared to rise against the oppressive regime. Goya's composition reveals the stark polarity between the faceless, cold-hearted executioners and the raw vulnerability of the victims. Yet, there it is - in the midst of despair, an embodiment of courage.

The central figure, illuminated by a haunting glow, stands with arms outstretched as if to challenge the very heavens. His eyes, locked on the faceless soldiers, speak a language of conviction and fortitude. This man, moments away from death, refuses to surrender his dignity. Can you not see the courage that emanates from his very being?

"The Third of May 1808" is a timeless testament to the power of courage. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, the fire of defiance still burns within us. Will you remember this when faced with your own trials? Will you find the strength to embody that same courage? Goya's painting implores us all to answer these questions.