18th July 2012 "Courage Pledge Follow Up"
So I challenged all of you, my readers, to be Courageous a little over two weeks ago (see it here). How is it going readers? Any fun stories? I've got one:
I went out for a run last night and by run I usually mean a Parkour run. Here's a short YouTube clip of a what a daily training session might look like:
Unlike a lot of Parkour videos out there, which feature an athlete's best abilities & skills, this one is a little more relaxed, a little more "everyday". Thank you Parkour Generations crew.
Anyway, I'm out for a run through an area I'm pretty familiar with when I just so happen see a new combination I've never thought about doing before; & of course I have to try it! It's a beautiful combination: from a run, I jump off of a wooden bench to land on top of a wall. The wall is about neck height on me and about 6-7 feet from the bench. In between the bench & the wall is a massive bush. If I don't make it's gonna be a nasty mess to get out of. But no problem, "I've got this!"
"Oo, the bench is a little shaky, creaky. . .
No Problem, I'm good . . ."
<5-minutes later>
"I've got this. . . " thinking to myself how much the bush behind the bench looks like my spiky doom.
<5 more minutes>
"Um . . ." I realize I'm checking the time, looking around, thinking about other things. "Come on Logan!" Back on track now, I force myself to work through a small jump, just to get moving.
I've heard it said, Action Cures Fear & standing around, thinking about how things can go wrong definitely ensures failure.
A minute later I work up to attempting the jump with out a run, standing on the back of the bench. (Because somehow jumping from a stand still, where the lack of momentum makes it harder, is less scary then jumping from a run.) Well I stick the jump no problem! A minute later I'm accomplishing the jump, with a run, like it was nothing. Afterwards I'm feeling great for accomplishing! I'm sure that the next time I go to that place the jump will be like nothing.
Isn't it crazy what little things get in our way? I think of myself as being pretty strong willed & fearless. Yet, when I come up against an uncomfortable &/or scary situation I'm amazed at how easily I get caught up in what "could happen" but probably won't happen. It's kinda sad how often I have to discipline my mind through these little moments.
Come to think of it, I have to work on choosing Courage daily. We all do. I recently heard a minister say: "Fear is not the truth. It's just the truth of how I feel." Little daily decisions define us. Will I be crippled by my feelings or conquer my fear?
So, Anyone else have a triumph to share?
Encouraging the Hope to be a better Hero
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
18 July 2012
02 July 2012
HEROES FOUND!!!
2nd July 2012 - "HEROES FOUND!"
YES! Heroes still live in this world! Check this site out: http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/
What a cool concept! If you read through their About Us section, Real Life Super Heroes is a civil service organization built around the ideals represented by superhero stories. No, they're not other-worldly beings with super powers or mutant humans with special abilities. They're people, like you and I who hope to make a difference wherever they are.
These Real Life Super Heroes feel the tug to do more & help humanity. Some have helped stop crimes in progress, helped solve crimes, or even helped prevent crimes by raising awareness. Some of these Heroes have helped the injured in need or just helped serve society with Charity Work, Hospital Visits, & other general helps. I think what they do is awesome! "So shines a good deed in a weary world." So shines a bright light in a dark world.
Reading through the RLSH's Creed: http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/about/creed/ (which is awesome), I thought it misses something. I'm not sure if misses is quite the right word but it inspired a thought in me. What is the number one thing all Heroes must have? What is the bottom line most important thing? Is it a super power or a flashy costume? No, as far as I know it, the Superhero Punisher (Marvel Comics) is just a guy with a gun (actually a few guns) who barely has any costume at all. So what is the baseline requirement to be considered a Hero?
Dictionary.com defines hero as:
I posted only the first 2 definitions, as the others do not apply to this post. The first short paragraph on Wikipedia's article Hero is:
A hero (heroine is usually used for females) (Ancient Greek: ἥρως, hḗrōs), in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion.[1] Later, hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice—that is, heroism—for some greater good of all humanity. This definition originally referred to martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.
So, looking at these 2 definitions I would say that bottom line, a Hero must have Courage. More then anything a hero is the person who stands up when others back down, who does that which is scary to help, save, or benefit another. They do what might be terrifying but is most certainly right.
I once heard someone say that Courage is not the absence of fear but the choice to do what you know is right in the face of fear. I challenge all of us to take the Courage Pledge:
This act of courage might be something small like "liking" a controversial post on Facebook that you believe in or it might be saying something when you normally wouldn't. It might even be something big like rescuing someone in harms way.
The point is to challenge yourself to do a little bit each day. I take this pledge to be Courageous everyday & I hope you'll join me. And if you feel so moved, post a comment about an act of courage you perform. We can all be heroes to someone. Even if no ones sees it & all it means is that we can stand a little taller & at look ourselves in the mirror with a smile.
YES! Heroes still live in this world! Check this site out: http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/
What a cool concept! If you read through their About Us section, Real Life Super Heroes is a civil service organization built around the ideals represented by superhero stories. No, they're not other-worldly beings with super powers or mutant humans with special abilities. They're people, like you and I who hope to make a difference wherever they are.
These Real Life Super Heroes feel the tug to do more & help humanity. Some have helped stop crimes in progress, helped solve crimes, or even helped prevent crimes by raising awareness. Some of these Heroes have helped the injured in need or just helped serve society with Charity Work, Hospital Visits, & other general helps. I think what they do is awesome! "So shines a good deed in a weary world." So shines a bright light in a dark world.
Reading through the RLSH's Creed: http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/about/creed/ (which is awesome), I thought it misses something. I'm not sure if misses is quite the right word but it inspired a thought in me. What is the number one thing all Heroes must have? What is the bottom line most important thing? Is it a super power or a flashy costume? No, as far as I know it, the Superhero Punisher (Marvel Comics) is just a guy with a gun (actually a few guns) who barely has any costume at all. So what is the baseline requirement to be considered a Hero?
Dictionary.com defines hero as:
I posted only the first 2 definitions, as the others do not apply to this post. The first short paragraph on Wikipedia's article Hero is:
A hero (heroine is usually used for females) (Ancient Greek: ἥρως, hḗrōs), in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion.[1] Later, hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice—that is, heroism—for some greater good of all humanity. This definition originally referred to martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.
So, looking at these 2 definitions I would say that bottom line, a Hero must have Courage. More then anything a hero is the person who stands up when others back down, who does that which is scary to help, save, or benefit another. They do what might be terrifying but is most certainly right.
I once heard someone say that Courage is not the absence of fear but the choice to do what you know is right in the face of fear. I challenge all of us to take the Courage Pledge:
- Everyday I will do at least one thing that challenges, scares & probably stretches me. I will choose to be courageous whenever I can.
This act of courage might be something small like "liking" a controversial post on Facebook that you believe in or it might be saying something when you normally wouldn't. It might even be something big like rescuing someone in harms way.
The point is to challenge yourself to do a little bit each day. I take this pledge to be Courageous everyday & I hope you'll join me. And if you feel so moved, post a comment about an act of courage you perform. We can all be heroes to someone. Even if no ones sees it & all it means is that we can stand a little taller & at look ourselves in the mirror with a smile.
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