fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
What Was the Most Uncomfortable Thing You Have Done This Year?
By: Han Pham
Tags: Personal Growth, Life, Coming Out, Courage, LGBTQ

“The secret to happiness is freedom. And the secret to freedom is courage” — Thucydides

Back in 2019, I decided to try surfing for the first time. I had a feeling I would like it. The speed and the breeze, it would be like ecstasy. I was ready for them. But I wasn’t ready for the ocean.

Even this dog looks cool surfing!

The ocean, a vast deep body of water, is full of the unknowns. From scary octopus to hungry sharks to creatures I don’t even know exist, at least on land I’ll see them afar and run away. How do I see anything beneath that calm surface? And even if I do, how do I outswim them?

Those questions kept on buzzing around in my mind. I read up articles on shark attacks, learned statistics, and studied some defense moves, but I still can’t calm my nerves!!

Arriving at the beach, my feet started to feel heavy. My heart sank. I dreaded it. Luckily, my friends saw my apprehension through my darting eyes, they picked me up and dragged me out of the parking lot and out to the beach.

And that is how I started surfing. The rest is, in fact, just history now as I loved surfing so much that I went every weekend and didn’t stop until the pandemic hit. I was ready to conquer the ocean.

But that was 2019. 2020 is different. Nothing so far this year has been particularly challenging to the point that my feet felt heavy, my heart sank, and I dreaded every second thereafter. Until mid-December, when it occurred to me that it is time to face my deepest fear and own my identity.
Take the skinny staircase to find something bright
By: Anna Riley
Tags: Poem, Determination, Courage, Dreams, Gold

I walked and walked up the skinny staircase.

Determined, I climbed as fast as I could

I never saw anything that shined quite as bright.

I knew something was unique about that light.
Why focusing on my strengths was just not enough
By: Jeroen Uwland
Tags: Advice, Courage, Life Advice, Fear, Self

I have always seen myself as a coward. Since I was a little kid, I always tried to prevent the things I didn’t like to do. The pattern was something like this;

I tried. But after several tries without any success, I would stop. I would determine it wasn’t something for me and I would simply give up.

Later in life, I gave myself the excuse that this behaviour was completely fine. This behaviour made sure we simply focus on our strengths instead of our weaknesses.

In hindsight, I now realise the consequences of this behaviour. I have not driven in a car (despite having a license) for 7 years straight, I can’t ice skate, I never dared to present for large groups or train my backhand swing.

To be honest, I also didn’t really need it. I still played on a semi-professional level, could use public transport and simply didn’t give any presentations.

I focused on the things I was good at and lived a comfortable life in the comfort zone. Life was pretty good.

So, why would I focus on tackling my fears? I realized last year, that I am not really scared of driving a car or ice skating. I am more scared of what others might think of me when I might fail. I was — like many others — afraid to be a beginner. Afraid to admit there are things I cannot do yet. Afraid to be ridiculed.

And this fear can have a huge negative effect on my life.

It is terrifying to try to overcome your fears. However, it is even more terrifying if you have to ask yourself at the end of your life “what if, what if I just dared to do it”.

That is why I decided to stop avoiding my long-hidden fears. This habit has to be stopped and replaced by one of showing courage.
Going Over the Falls in a Barrel
By: Kathy Johnson Bowles
Tags: Social Justice, Art, Courage, Feminist Art, Confronting Fear

Thank you to the editors of Ponder Review at the Mississippi University of Women in Columbus, MS, who published five works from my series Veronica’s Cloths in Volume 4, Issue 1. When I look at the works selected, I think about Annie Edson Taylor. At 63 years old, she was the first human to go over the Niagara River falls in 1901. Amazingly, she did it inside a pickle barrel padded with pillows. When she emerged at the base of Horseshoe Falls, she is said to have remarked, “No one ought ever do that again.” That’s how I think about the content of my artwork — I hope that no one has to go through what I went through at my last job.

Annie Edson Taylor makes me think about tipping points and courage. What made her look at something as overwhelmingly dangerous and gargantuan as Niagara Falls and say I’m going to take it on? She knew it could kill her. Tear her apart in the process. She could be annihilated, and her body never found. And yet, she did it anyway. Some called her crazy. But that is a dismissive explanation. I think a choice like hers is much more psychically profound. Her decision is about a tipping point where there is nothing left to lose. You have to do something to get unstuck from the place you live (physically and emotionally). You have to try to do something extraordinary to make a change in the world.

Deciding to fight against the threats, harassment, sexual assault, discrimination, retaliation I was subjected to in my last job was like deciding to go over the falls a barrel. It was something I needed to do even though I was going up against an institution and people of formidable power. Fighting against what I experienced had to be done. There was no other choice. What happened to me had to stop. No one else should experience what I experienced. As I imagine Annie Edson Taylor in the confines of the pickle barrel in the turbulent rushing water, I relate to being alone, in the dark, groundless, and not knowing which end is up. When I experienced retaliation and defamation following my complaints of discrimination, I relate to Taylor’s feeling of being thrashed from side to side without adequate cushion or comfort, heart beating fast from adrenaline, and feeling like I couldn’t breathe.

The pieces selected by Ponder’s editor make me think about Taylor — overcoming fear through courage (“In the Pit of My Stomach (Fear)”), being subjected to scrutiny and judgment (“Vulnerability (Tears)”), taking the plunge and feeling groundless (“The Last Thing I Remember”), feeling beaten up during the long journey toward justice (“I See Spots (Knock-Down, Drag-Out)”), and battling powerful, destructive forces alone (“Abandoned by St. Amabilis”).

See more Veronica’s Cloths: www.kjohnsonbowlesart.com

K. Johnson Bowles
The Danger of Comfortable — Hope & The Shawshank Redemption
By: Maryanne Pope
Tags: The Shawshank Redemption, Freedom, Movies That Matter, Courage, Hopes And Dreams

“Some birds aren’t meant to be caged.” – The Shawshank Redemption

Have you ever seen the film, “The Shawshank Redemption”?

It’s brilliant…one of my all-time favourite movies. Based on Stephen King’s novella, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, the 1994 film was written and directed by Frank Darabont and starred Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.

Tim Robbins’ character, Andy Dufrense, is an innocent man accused of murder and sentenced to life. The character played by Morgan Freeman is a seasoned lifer who takes Andy under his wing and teaches him the ropes of prison life.

I’ve seen the film a few times over the years. What struck me most while watching it on a plane a couple of months ago was the scene where Andy locks a prison guard in the bathroom so he could play a record of two women singing opera — over the prison loudspeaker.

As we hear the hauntingly beautiful song and see the surprised (but clearly moved) reaction of various prisoners, the voiceover of Morgan Freeman’s character says:

“I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is…I don’t want to know. Some things are best left unsaid. I would like to think they were singing about something so beautiful it can’t be expressed in words… and makes you heart ache because of it. I tell ya, those voices soared…higher and farther than anybody in a grey place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away…and for the briefest of moments, every man at Shawshank felt free.”

(You can watch the clip here)

Andy paid dearly for his defiant stunt…

Read more.
On Courage and Patience
By: Rea Martin
Tags: Life Choices, Growth, Courage, Patience, Persistence

Do we always have to grab onto the next new big thing that comes our way?

Today, I learned that we will always encounter newer things that might seem better and bigger. It will be given to us, and all we will have to do is take it and an adventure will begin. Thrilling, right? Like you are being summoned to take a plunge into the unknown, to take the risk and be brave and be the hero.

Overwhelmed by that thought, I, for one, overlooked the other option, that is to stay and nurture what I already have. it won’t be the story of that grandiose leap of faith or the turning point of your life that when you share to people, would leave them in awe for your courage. But it can be that moment that you’ll look back into and you’ll be proud of, for it is where you treated yourself with patience and kindness and you gave yourself a chance to grow.

Courage has always been hailed and celebrated. I get it. It’s something really worth commending when one has braveness in them. Courage is where an adventure, a discovery, and more starts. But patience seems to be a little underrated. It is good to note that as courage is needed to start things, patience is needed to continue on being brave and pursue what was started by courage.

Courage and patience should go hand in hand and become persistence.
One person IS important
By: Brenda Henning
Tags: Covid 19 Crisis, Courage, Integrity, Masks, Motivational

Earth’s people have so many needs it can seem impossible to believe our efforts can make a meaningful difference. As soon as we clean up or improve one problem, another one pops up. You and I are only here for a short time. We barely make a dent.

When I was in college I worked evenings at the Des Moines Register. The desk I shared with one of the reporters had this story about saving the starfish taped to her computer. I never forgot this story and it has helped me persevere through times when compassion fatigue or burnout have overwhelmed me. This story helped me focus on the importance of one person. One person is not as overwhelming as billions of people.

You are hearing multiple sound bytes that Christmas is going to be even worse than Thanksgiving with COVID deaths. I am writing to you who are on the fence now about whether you should throw your hands up and say “my doing this isn’t making any difference” or if you can muster up the perseverance to buckle down during this time. I am giving you encouragement to call up within you the courage to do the right thing for the one and for the many.

I KNOW you are missing your pre-COVID life. I am missing pre-COVID life, too.

You are making a difference when you wear a mask when you visit your family. You are making a difference when you insist on social distancing during a holiday gathering. You are making a difference if you step aside for this year’s family celebrations.

That effort is going to help more than you realize. Yes, some of your friends and family are doing to do whatever they want. And your loneliness or need to please them may agonize you about doing the right thing. They may outright ostracize you for taking these measures. I understand. I truly understand.

But saving one person is significant. Even if that one person is random to you, that one person has and is important to someone else.

Here is the story of the starfish. Maybe it will inspire you like it has inspired me.

The Star Thrower

Once, on ancient Earth, there was a human boy walking along a beach. There had just been a storm, and starfish had been scattered along the sands. The boy knew the fish would die, so he began to fling the fish to the sea. But every time he threw a starfish, another would wash ashore.

An old Earth man happened along and saw what the child was doing. He called out, “Boy, what are you doing?”

“Saving the starfish!’ replied the boy. “

“But your attempts are useless, child! Every time you save one, another one returns, often the same one! You can’t save them all, so why bother trying? Why does it matter, anyway?” called the old man.

The boy thought about this for a while, a starfish in his hand; he answered, “Well, it matters to this one.”

And then he flung the starfish into the welcoming sea.” ― Loren Eiseley, The Star Thrower
NOW…
Tags: Self Love, Peace, Healing, Courage, Change

NOW…

I'm sort of powerful now

I'm sort of healer now

I'm sort of game changer now

And the NOW is not that easy to show

Hate and No, I started free to allow

Love and Health, I started to bow

Courage and Confidence came into my row

Patience and Understanding, I began to sow

Nature and Universe made me surprisingly wow

Knowledge and Experience, I brighten up to glow

Anger and Jealous, I made them to slow

Kindness and Forgiveness, I push them to flow

Straight and Strong, I currently grow
“Now I had licked blood and wanted more.” René Junge An inspiring tale that changed two lives. https://medium.com/illumination-curated/what-its-like-to-donate-a-kidney-1ea7f7bcda0a
By: Tree Langdon
Tags: Self Improvement, Relationships, Writer, Courage, Life Lesson

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Be Born in Me ~ I Am Not Brave; I’ll Never Be
By: Aramis Thorn
Tags: Christmas, Following Christ, Courage, Faith, Love

We do not even have to have our own courage when Christ is born in us and bourn by us.

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

What did you write down yesterday? The Mystery of Christ requires that we allow the unexpected. We have to live outside of our own expectations. We think that we have to be courageous. We do not.

The deeper I ponder the faith required to follow Christ, to have him born in us and bourn by us, the more I see that the Father even provides the courage. We may feel fear as we mentioned earlier. That is what our nature tells us to do. Still, our trebling traveling hearts can be quieted by the Spirit and not our own will.

My heart, on its knees, may still fear what lies ahead but the Spirit supplies power, love, and clear thinking. It is the humble aspect of God that comes to dwell in us when we are willing to follow the Son. It is the Spirit that gives us the ability to love the Father with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

The hurts will still be there. Pain and sorrow will still interrupt our lives. Need and want, keenly felt at this time of year, must not be endured alone. When we turn our fearful faces toward the Father, he assures us that loving him is enough. Proceeding from that love will be the answer to all that we seek.

Jesus reminds us that seeking the Kingdom of God and the Father’s righteousness will add to us all that we need, hope, and desire. As we journey toward Christmas, Dear Reader, we will feel fear. We will find that we cannot do it. This is why we wish for Christ to be born in us.

I will write down that the Spirit of Christ in me is not one of fear. Rather, it is the power to move forward in the journey. It is the love that never leaves us alone. It is the clear mind that keeps me from overthinking and gives me wisdom. It is in this that we live and move and have our being. I long to hear how you interact with this because I love you, Dear Reader.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, “That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

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Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon

Web Page: www.aramisthorn.com

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We do not even have to have our own courage when Christ is born in us and bourn by us.
Greatest Quote Hacks For Happiness
By: Cheries D
Tags: Love Yourself, Quotes, Courage, Inspirational Quotes, Motivational Quotes

In my book: Greatest Quote Hacks For Happiness, is a listing of famous quotes involving our virtues; wisdom, courage, love & humanity, justice, temperance, spirituality, and transcendence. Here are some of the highlights, I hope you enjoy them!

“This is the first test of a gentlemen: his respect for those who can be no possible value to him.” William Lyon Phelps

“You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” Brene Brown

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Anais Nin

“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on- it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” Napoleon Bonaparte

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” Elbert Hubbard
Schrödinger’s Match or Why You Never Write First
By: Teo Dumitru
Tags: Courage, Schrodinger, Matches, Fear, Dreams

Tinder! Unless you lived your whole life under a rock or are in the same relationship since the pre-smartphone era, you know what I’m talking about.

You see random people nearby. When you like someone you swipe right. If he/she also swipes right, congrats — you have a match.

I call these Schroedinger’s matches (you know, the guy with the cat in a box). You both have and don’t have them. They exist somewhere between the quantic states of zero and one.

Of course, you could make a move. But that would mean pulling them out of their superposition. And that’s tricky. Because if you say something uninspiring, uninteresting, or simply plain stupid (insert canned pick-up line), you may lose them for eternity in the internet cosmic void.

Obviously, you could also find the love of your life (or at least the wildest fling). But would you take the risk? How would your self-esteem take it if you lose? How could you live knowing there’s someone on Terra that doesn’t find you fun? How will you be able to bear this failure?!

So instead you play cool. You lie to yourself that you don’t have enough time, that they are not attractive enough to be worth the trouble or seem rather boring, that you are not good at flirting or speaking to human beings in general, and still got some PUA books to read…

And in this whole mental turmoil, you are ok with yourself. You might even have your ego raised by one match (or 548). But that’s it! Your matches will always remain in the present state as mere hypothetical possibilities.

Possible realities that will never become reality.
Fear: Inhibits Ideas and Cripples Success
Tags: Life, Life Lessons, Courage, 100 Days Writing, Fear

Day 29/100

Fear, a word we often hear is not necessarily a sign of weakness nor is there anything abnormal about it. Again being fearless is not an absence of fear, rather is means that the person is able to control fear from surfacing. How? Because, if you think carefully, we are not born with fear. Circumstances and past experiences are responsible for instilling it in us. If you’ve had a bad experience in a dark alley, darkness will always bring back those images and the thought itself is scary, for instance. In some cases, fear is taught. For example, in certain cultures we are made to do certain things and it is constantly drilled in our minds that if we don’t oblige, we will suffer. In reality, noone has endured the suffering, yet the ideas are passed on very effectively from one generation to another. If you notice, a new born baby doesn’t fear at all. Even if he/she is thrown high up in the air, they laugh, they are neither scared of the heights nor do they fear falling and hurting themselves. That’s because they are completely oblivious to these experiences. But as we grow, our surroundings, people and experiences fill our heads with fear.

In some cases, the person who experiences fear transfers this to the other. This could be a sibling, a spouse, a friend-- anyone. And in the process, it harms not just the person concerned but the others involved too. Fear prevents taking up new challenges and embarking on a lesser travelled path. That way, it can impact progress at work. And it is not easy for others to bring it down. One must make effort to control it. Life is short, you can keep away from the unknown forever. Whether you fear or not, destiny doesn’t care. It hands out what’s due to you, isn’t it?

If you have ever experienced anything in life that brings in recurrent fear, you need to see a counsellor. The more scared you are, the more you’ll imagine things. It affects your thinking, your actions and those who live with you. Learn to leverage it. Don’t let it control you. Once you learn to walk over it, you will be surprised to see that there is a whole new world on the other side. I know it’s easier said than done. But do take the first step….even that’s a good sign. Lao Tzu said, “There is no illusion greater than fear.” It simply cripples your ideas and stalls your success. It’s time to allow courage to take over life and send fear to the back seat!! Get ready for the ride of a lifetime!!
Having the Courage to Believe Differently
By: Carla D. Wilson Laskey
Tags: Words, Religion, Courage, Motivation, Humanity

Having the Courage to Believe Differently

Photo by George Pagan III on Unsplash

“I will not be a part of any institution or religion that marginalizes people based on race, abilities, gender, orientation, identity or social status. But I will be a part of a Love Revolution that fights for the right of people everywhere to Love and be Loved by God.” ~ Rudy Rasmus

I can remember the first time I read these words on the computer screen. It was during one of my frequent internet binges.

Yes. This is where I admit to you that I’m one of those people who confess to spending hours in front of a computer screen. Or some other technical device either reading, writing, ranting, researching, or responding. As well as learning, laughing, and sometimes plain old procrastinating.

I am a blogger, freelance writer, and aspiring author who loves the power of words. For me, Rudy’s words are powerful.

A few years ago on the day when I read what I am calling an “inclusivity manifesto”. I was doing some research for a Toastmasters presentation I was preparing. The title of my speech was “Have the Courage To Believe Differently”.
My ideas on ‘self-love’
By: Blank Voice
Tags: Self Love, Writer, Courage, Self Love Courage, Self Love In Blackness

Photo by https://unsplash.com/@contentpixie

It doesn’t matter how loud you are, something silent and soft is going to make you quiet one day.

All the hurt you carry inside you as it belongs to the broken bones of soldiers in the war across the world is going to make you want to heal your wounds one day.

All the cold, numb pain you sip in the morning, once out of the bed.. Like it doesn’t matter how who leave you anymore is going to make the sky rain down someday

And the thought you have every day, that the world will be better without you in, just want to let you know that it doesn’t matter useless or used you feel at this hour

~It doesn’t matter who loves or hates you this morning

~It doesn’t matter who pretend to care or not to care for you every time you need

~It doesn’t matter what others like or dislike about your eyes, face, and body

You should know, that someday or sometime you are going to be grateful for choosing to stay

You are going to make yourself kind and proud

And even you don’t end up doing anything great, know that the love you give yourself somehow is saving the world that feels you have failed…
An Article On Teenage Confidence
By: Coco Rosen
Tags: Self Love, Women, Courage, Strength, Wellness

As a 16-year-old girl, one of the most prevalent things on my mind is my appearance. While unfortunate, it’s true. And yes, I wish it was not this way sometimes.

When I was 13, I started to workout. I wasn’t happy with the way I looked and I knew that I needed to start being more active. I liked all the unhealthy foods and was a normal, healthy teenager. Although, deep down, I felt kind of gross. Not gonna lie. After talking to my parents, they were more than happy to get me a gym membership at the local gym. This wasn’t about losing weight. I just wanted to feel good in my own skin. Of course, it was normal to feel this way as a young teen; Although, if I could make a change to better myself, I would. And I did.

I started to work out a lot. Time went by and I started to get into really good shape and I was so proud of myself. The thing I didn’t know was that with all the working out I was doing, I would start to obsess a bit over how I looked. It wasn’t really something I knew would come along with working out for my personal journey. It’s different for everyone. Some people may not experience this, but I did. I like to say whatever kills you makes you stronger. And it did.

3 years after I started working out, I have learned how I can comfort myself when feeling down about my appearance. It is something I have learned to manage, and am still learning how to manage.

The way I eat and the way I live my life work for me. The way someone lives their life might not work for me! Do what works for you, not what works for your friend. It is so important to think about what makes you happy and fulfills you.

Here is where the confidence comes in: I’ve now gotten used to my routine. I’m a runner. I run 2–4 miles every day. Working out fuels me. But it can also make my confidence go a little crazy. If I miss a day, my confidence plummets. Same with if I don't sweat enough. Or my workout isn’t long enough. I’ve learned that it’s natural. It took me a long time to understand that.

A lot of people these days look in the mirror a lot; Including me. The thing is, the mirror is a devil. How can you even know what you look like if every mirror makes you look different?

That’s why it is so important to look at yourself for your own personal beauty and self-love. You can’t love somebody else until you love yourself. I work on myself every day and continue to find things to be proud of, even though it might be difficult sometimes. Be confident. Look at all your accomplishments. Tell yourself how incredible you are.

I encourage everyone who reads this (including myself) to find one thing every day that makes you proud of yourself. One thing that makes you feel confident. You have to start somewhere, so start here.
Courage and Wisdom 勇氣與智慧
By: Jennifer Zeng
Tags: Courage, 智慧, 曾錚, Wisdom, Jennifer Zeng

Photo by Olivia Jingyi, on 10/6/2020 曾錚2020年10月6日攝於紐約某處。攝影：吉林省攝影家協會成員 Olivia Jingyi

Courage or wisdom, which is more important?

勇氣與智慧，哪一個更重要？

I think it is wisdom. If you have the wisdom to find the truth, if you have the wisdom to understand the direction of things, if you have the wisdom to know the future and God’s arrangement, then you can have the courage to pursue the right thing.

我認爲是智慧。有智慧找到真理真相，有智慧明白事物的發展方向，有智慧知道未來的結局和神的安排，才能有勇氣堅持對的事情。

12/15/2020
Saturday Morning
Tags: Life, Pandemic, Hustle, Courage, Motivation

Photo by Bannon Morrissy on Unsplash

Saturday Morning, the streets wet with bright orange.

A cold dusk, kind of warm to the heart ..

And a kid stands on the side of the street,

With his scratched bicycle and some golden bruises.

The dusk has wiped the darkness,

And only the dew has remained on his bicycle frame.

Stained! by the yellow haze,

The orange hues, slide down his face.

While the dusky rays,

Flutter with courage in oblivion,

The kid stays, for what has stayed after the darkest fight…

— Courage
Don’t Label Yourself Negatively :
By: Riya Saroha
Tags: Faith and Life, Courage, Positive, Faith, Love

Don’t Label Yourself Negatively :

Like people see us through the filter of their personality and perceptions, we also see ourselves through certain labels that we put on the self. If we attach negative labels such as I am lazy, I am careless, it becomes a part of our identity and a belief. Our vibrations create our reality and intensify that behaviour in us. Do you choose to label yourself about who you are - or who you are not - based on your appearance, background, personality or achievements? Do you see yourself through the labels that other people define you with? Can you pause and check how many labels are negative? The labels assigned on you add up to different dimensions of your personality, your identity. This means if we label ourselves negatively, our mind and body will respond and live by that negative label. Repeating them make them like an affirmation, reiterate those words, radiate those vibrations and the chances of them becoming our reality increases. Our labels create our destiny.



Let us replace every single negative label we have on ourselves, with a pure, powerful, positive label. Let us make them our vocabulary, repeat them consistently for a few days, until those positive labels become your identity. To create the reality you want, begin with assigning only positive self-labels. Remind yourself - I label myself only and only with positive words. I remain aware that my labels manifest my destiny. When you repeatedly think and speak only of positive labels, you create that only quality of vibrations and radiate them to your mind, body and the universe. Your each and every vibration influences your reality. So those labels start becoming your reality.
It certainly takes a lot of courage to reveal these aspects of your past to all your readers.
By: Thomas Baumgartner
Tags: Reflections, Self Improvement, Courage

It certainly takes a lot of courage to reveal these aspects of your past to all your readers. Respect.
Is Honesty A Vanity?
By: Rumana Zs
Tags: Vulnerability, Honesty, Courage, Love, Self

Is Honesty A Vanity?

How we are so obsessed as a society to keep pretending that everything is so well and good we have lost touch with being honest with our own selves. Even on the rare occasions that we are honest with ourselves, we are often completely filled with doubts about that honesty.

It is as if, by pretense, we have learned that the vulnerability that real honesty offers can bring us about so much social and cultural damage, the image that we so meticulously try to maintain on our social feeds.

I have been asked this question a lot since I have bombarded all of you with friend requests on Facebook recently “Did you make yet another new account on Facebook?”

That question leaving a pungent taste in my mouth, as if I have to swallow some shame or some fear or some judgment for having deleted yet another account in the last 10 or 12 years of using this platform. But more so the courage comes to having to answer with shamelessness “Yes I deleted yet another account and I made yet another account.”

How, how do we as individuals really get so easily adapted and accustomed to everything that life throws at us, from social media platforms to smartphones to smartphones getting dumber and so are our self worths getting smaller.

Damn well, we need to be honest with ourselves and accept the truths of our lives, our decisions, our careers, our families, our relationships, our heartbreaks, and about everything even the slice of cake that did not taste so good today and it upset you.

Because unless we will learn to scratch these formal, upper layers of our beings, we are never going to find the courage, to be honest, to look at how and what our choices are shaping us to become.

Are our choices even our choices? Or are they merely a product of structured anarchy that we have silently accepted to continue the lineage for, just with some added bling and emoji and features to broadcast to a wider network of our social circle.

Do we really have honest conversations with our own selves?

Is honesty really such a vanity that it is shelved??
What is Wisdom ?
By: Sherrill Jacob
Tags: Choosing, Courage, Good Verses Evil, Wise, Truth

How do you get wisdom? By experience and observation. This means those little thoughts playing in our head and our heart are not for naught. They mean something. It is the barometer meant to help weigh, direct and discern. To brush those thoughts away is to disregard our safeguard meant to protect us. When we disregard our warnings we allow logical actions instead of what we really should be doing.

It isn’t easy to trust ourselves. It is easiest to let the voices of a parent or authoritative persons, tell us our truth. Often we can logically figure out our course of action but the times when we might choose another is when this extra help presents itself. So what if we make a mistake? Even our mistakes have value. By them we learn wisdom. To not decide, to not act is the opposite of wisdom. If you were my grandchild I would say go forward and don’t worry. If you choose wrong you will be given another chance. After all, what is eternity for?
AMERICA
By: Sherman Moore
Tags: Government, America, Courage, Politics, Democracy

AMERICA

AMERICA

Our country needs the vast majority of regular people just living lives and doing their jobs to get a little more involved to push for themselves and their peers together to choose adult sane politicians to be calm and pursue commonsense compromise problem solving. Enough already with divisive hyperbole and demagoguery pandering to ideological hysterics and media grasping for attention by sensationalism and us even tuning in and listening.

There was no election fraud (this is America), there is not a conspiracy to take guns or freedom via socialism. The vast majority of cops are good, necessary and serving the public but wearing a badge requires high standards. Perhaps we can’t pay for everyone’s college and other things. we’re already loading up debt but we have to improve education.

Both the vast majority of immigrants are good people and we need border control so we need immigration reform overhaul. If we want services we have to pay taxes so do budget transparency and honest choices not camouflaged special interests.

We have a real problem figuring out economic relevance and competitiveness in a 21st century global economy and need to be working together for our grandkids not infighting and whipping up fear and anger by isolating in echo chamber cliques built to validate ourselves as the good guys by demonizing everyone different. Unless we think we “know it all” it’s a good thing when someone has different ideas — we get to listen and learn more perspectives and have faith in good intent and try to find common ground not “my way or the highway”. It’s not prideful claiming God is on “our side”, but humbly, open minded and lovingly making progress to be part of good and light not hate and judgement and believing in the end God is on everybody’s side.
Christians Ought To Be The Most Courageous People On Earth
By: Dave Marney
Tags: Christians, Covid 19, Courage

Maybe it’s because I’m currently in 1 Samuel in my daily Bible reading, but I have been thinking SO much about courage these last few weeks.

Is God not in His heaven? Is He not ruling over every circumstance? Has He not promised to be with us to the very end? Would He who would give His own Son up to save us now shy away from protecting us or turn His back to us?

Hardly.

I am not saying we should be reckless, but neither should we BE AFRAID in the face of this pandemic. Of all the people on earth, Christians ought to be the first to step up and take a risk if it means helping someone in need or obeying a command from God.

God made us to be TOGETHER. We are social by heavenly design. We have been given faces to smile with, arms to hug with, hands to hold.

If there are some actual, factual reasons to suspect that doing any of those things is immediately and positively harmful, then of course it would be reckless to do them. But if the harm is only hypothetical or abstract, then I do believe it is better to show no fear and to exercise our God-created social gifts.

I would be especially wary of falling into the trap of letting mere syllogisms guide our behaviors, for example:

- C-19 spreads by human contact

- Schools are places where there is human contact

- Therefore, schools spread C-19

No, that is merely conjectural evidence, not actual evidence. A person showing up for school with a fever and other C-19 symptoms, that’s actual evidence. Two healthy people giving each other a side hug is courageous — but not knowingly harmful.
Meet Me at the Grassroots
By: Joe Barca
Tags: Literary Impulse, Thoughts, Leadership, Courage, Poetry

Meet Me at the Grassroots

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

I don’t pretend to know truth, but I’ll listen

I’ll try to spread the love, despite the friction

we all scream for a chance to debate

but dialogue is how the damn dam breaks

it’s time to be the orator without words

to be the poet without verse

maybe I’ll be wrong

but to be weak is to be strong

yes, words are great, but actions resonate

wait, hold on

I don’t want to love this week,

I just want to rage

I don’t want to listen

I don’t want to turn the page

but I need time, I need to pause

know the problems and the cause

let my actions be the teacher

lead my feelings to the river

be the shepherd, not the preacher

share the light, be the lever

shine on

Joe Barca
Use fear to propel you to greatness
By: Damir Pervan
Tags: Greatness, Fear, Dreams, Courage

The key to living a good life is to face your fear. The only way to beat the fear is to look right into its eyes. Face it and then develop a plan for overcoming.

Back when I was in my teens, I was afraid of introducing myself because I was stuttering severely. I soon realised that this fear is limiting my potential. I could be meeting very interesting people and building great partnerships if I overcome this somehow. So I faced it. I went into my room and practiced saying my name, oftentimes, 500 times/day. I was determined to beat this. Sometimes I used to bring my friends and practice with them. Today I don’t have fear introducing myself. Because I faced this fear, I am meeting all kinds of interesting people.

See the key to overcoming my fear was acknowledging and then relentlessly working to overcome it.

Fear of trying

To me, this is the worst of all fears. Fear of trying. This fear has stopped many people from going after their dreams. The great ancient stoic, Seneca said,

We suffer more in imagination than in reality.

We can easily say that we fear more in our imagination than in reality.

Whatever you do, just try. The worst regret you can have is not trying. We will regret the most what we didn’t do than what we did.

So how can you use your fear to propel you to greatness?

Step 1. Identify it and acknowledge it.

Step 2. Work/practice relentlessly to overcome it.

Step 3. Raise the bar and overcome the next fear.

Some fears will be with you for the rest of your life and that is okay as long they are not stopping you from being the best you can be.

Damir
3 ideas to remember your inner resilience in moments of challenge
Tags: Resilience, Pandemic, Courage, Mindset, Anger

Find the courage to keep showing up…especially when you really don’t feel like it.

It’s been a challenging year. It’s challenged us in different ways. How have you responded in these times of stress?

It’s easy to project our feelings of anger and frustration. If we haven’t experienced intense emotions like this before, then it can be tricky to understand what it feels like and/or know what to do with it.

Some people don’t want to deal with negative emotions and would rather them just go away. Others prefer to deal with it so that they can get to the root cause.

I’ve encountered certain situations recently where I was met with unexplained frustration and anger by a Customer Service Representative. It triggered previous negative emotions that I thought I had worked through. The other person was in an emotionally heightened situation of fear which translated into anger, I could feel those negative emotions intensely. I did my best to communicate the facts and without the emotion and I have to admit, it still triggered something within. It took courage for me to speak my truth in the midst of anger. It was apparent that the other person didn’t want to listen, as I kept repeating myself and felt defeated at times. I knew that I had to speak up for myself, even if the other person’s reaction was not ideal.

When someone else is visibly angry, it’s easy to react and spiral down. It takes continuous practice to remember that the situation isn’t personal and to remember that perhaps, there is something else going on internally within the other person. I know that it’s easier said than done in moments of intense challenges. All we can do is keep trying and working on ourselves to get a little better every time.

I had to keep reminding myself to stay as calm as possible and breathe. It’s definitely work-in-progress. Some times are better than others and I have to keep reminding myself that I am human. I know that in my heart, I did the best that I could do in that situation; so I have to keep reminding myself that it’s ok.
What We Should Ultimately Write About
By: Nihan Kucukural
Tags: Writing, Feelings, Courage, Crying, Emotions

I have a friend who is a Turkish woman and a writer like me. We are both working on our novels, and we often talk to each other about our stories.

Yesterday, we went to the Big Screen Symposium in Auckland together. We joined a session with a group of successful young actor-writers. They talked about how their background in acting helps them to understand, empathize, and write characters better. I knew how important this was, and last month I had written about it too:

After the symposium discussion, I told my friend I regretted not taking acting classes at the beginning of my career. She said she learned to act.

Then, she told me a traumatic story from her youth in Turkey, about a theater group she was part of. At the end of the story, we were both crying.

It was a personal story that affected her entire life. As a woman who grew up in Turkey, I could relate to all of it and feel the power of the story in my bones. It was a crystallized demonstration of why we choose not to live in our country of birth. It took place among a handful of young people, reflecting the power dynamics of our culture.

The story moved me and began to place the events onto the imaginary board in my mind. When we went to the bathroom to wash our faces, I asked her if she had ever cried when she talked about the novel she’d been writing.

She hadn’t. I know I’ve never cried about my sci-fi novel. “This is the story you should write!” I said to her in excitement, probably crossing the line.

I believe we should ultimately write about what makes us feel strongly enough to cry.

I don’t mean her novel or mine shouldn’t be written. We are writers. We need to write about what we enjoy writing. But if this means we won’t write what makes us cry, who will write our most vital stories?
Queen of Wands: Confidence and Courage
By: Tarot Stories
Tags: Wand, Tarot, Love, Courage, Independance

My first day back at work after a short break turned out to be a good one — busy enough without being stressful, and full of great conversations. But the highlight of my day was a wonderful catch-up session with three people I love dearly, and who always leave me feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzies (the best ones do this).

With the Queen of Wands in the back of my mind all day, it occurred to me that these three women not only embody the things represented in this card, they actually empower you (me) with these qualities: confidence, independence, courage and a kindness and generosity that is nurturing.

Queen of Wands from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

What you see: The Queen enrobed in yellow sits on her throne, with a sunflower in her left hand and a wand in her right. She wears a gold crown and a white cape with a cat brooch. A tapestry hangs behind her with two painted sunflowers, a red rose and two lions. Two more lion statues form the arms of her throne, on either side. A black cat sits in front on the throne. Three pyramids once again appear in the background.

What it means: The lions represent fire and strength but also the Queen’s domain over the most powerful animals and nature (the sunflowers). The sunflowers also represent fertility, growth and happiness. The black cat often associated with occultism symbolizes her darker, shadow nature.

The story: The Queen of Wands represents confidence, independence and courage, as well as the ability to nurture and share love; all these qualities are related in that they are the ingredients to success and/or fulfillment.

Reversed meaning: Reversed, the card represents introversion or a domineering presence, but could also signify low confidence and selfishness.

Reflection: This card particularly empowering for women. The expression on the Queen’s face has both power and kindness in it. I think the takeaway in this card is that truly great leaders lead with love — nothing else trumps this.
Why you should choose action over inaction in your relationships and when living life-
By: Ayushi Mishra
Tags: Self Improvement, Mental Health, Life Lessons, Healthy Relationships, Courage

I usually sit on the bandwagon of doing things if my instincts say so (especially in interpersonal relationships) because I don’t want to have regrets in life. Looking like a fool (the worst case possible) isn’t that big of a price for not ruminating in what ifs & regretting for as long as we humans do."The I should have done that" weighs heavier in my mind than "Jeez can you believe it I did that once how dumb was I".😋

When we do something we already have an outcome so even if we may feel like a fool in hindsight that thought doesn’t stay in head for long as you now know what would’ve been the outcome in other scenario. Your brain has nothing to mull about. So taking a chance gives you a relief from constantly fighting an internal battle (to do or not to do...what will happen if I do or don’t do) and gives a release to your mind from churning possibilities. And that can feel freeing and empowering. Whereas inaction keeps you trapped long after having made the mulled over decision.

Now I’m not advocating for being a daredevil beyond the point of your personal pragmatism. But whatever your parameters maybe don’t let your ego or lighter inhibitions or rigidity amongst other self laid personal restrictions be a reason for regret. If you are sure you won’t regret something or can handle it then continue your current course but do keep an eye & learn about your limits and needs from what your emotional states are trying to tell you so as to not add to it. Otherwise dissolve the regret bank by letting out the energy.

We all have to go through life in our own ways to learn to take chances with love and courage over our fears.

We never know how long is someone or something going to last so why not make the most of it at your best possible pace. You’d never regret having made most of what you were able to with a person,situation or wish or ambition by taking a chance.