Got courage?

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage

We have a campaign in our school district called “Character Counts”.

Courage is not one of the pillars of character.  The reason I mention this is because my husband thinks it should be.  And I see his point.

The pillars are responsibility, caring, citizenship, trustworthiness, and respect.  All of these are important characteristics for sure but without courage, they are null and void.

It takes courage to take responsibility.  Think about the young girl who has gotten pregnant in high school.  Think about the boy.  It takes Courage to do the right thing.

To be caring to the schoolmate who is being bullied and beat up every day takes courage.  You know you may be beat up too if you step in but it’s the right thing…you need courage.

To be an example of citizenship takes courage.  You may need to run for office, give a speech, gather a group of people together, and volunteer when you are busy.  You will have to stand up for your principles.  You may have to speak out in a new voice.  You may be criticized and attacked. You may have to bring up a new point, look different, and draw attention to yourself.  You may be asked to give of your time, talents, money…this takes courage.

Trustworthiness takes courage too.  You have to gain people’s trust.  That means you must be honest and loyal and reliable.  You must be the friend you wish to have.  Often this takes courage.  Yes, in junior high and high school especially.  I think we can all recall the friends who broke our trust.  The real challenge comes when you want to get back at someone with revenge.  It takes courage to take the hits that come at you and still remain a person of honesty and loyalty…Someone people can trust.

Respect takes courage too.  To follow rules, to respect others, to respect property, to respect tradition, it all takes courage when you are trying to impress your friends.  For kids to respect their elders; teachers, parents, religious leaders, they may be seen as “not cool”.  They may be seen as “brown noses” or “teacher’s pets”.  Being someone who is an example of respect takes courage.

I read a sign at a school that says…It takes courage to stand up and speak and it takes courage to sit down and listen. 

Let’s teach our kids to have courage for now, as they are building their character and for later, as they are building their lives.  So they will know, based on their experience that they are people of character and they will be okay wherever they go.  They can lose sight of the shore and still find their way…they are strong enough to discover new oceans.  They are people of courage.

First I’ll be praying for my own courage.  Courage to do all the things I’m asking my kids to do.  I’ll be praying to be an example of responsibility, caring, citizenship, trustworthiness and respect.  Praying for courage to trust and to “walk the walk” especially when it’s easier not to.