Live Courageously!                                           

What's on your high school ring?  Since I graduated from a high school that has a lion as a part of its insignia, you will find a lion on my class ring.  A lion represents not only royalty because it is the king of the animal world but also strength, bravery and courage. Courage is much more than intelligence. To live courageously, intelligence is involved but the resolve to push past fear is required. Courage is not the absence of fear but it is making the decision to do and be whatever it takes that will make one a better person and the world a better place in spite of the cost and the feelings of inadequacy.  To be courageous does not make us exempt from failure or social disapproval. 

When I graduated all the seniors had a lion on their class ring.  Today, the students have a choice as to whether or not a lion will be displayed on their class ring. It is the same with courage- it is a choice! Will we choose to push past the fear to become a better person and be a part of creating a better world or will we settle for the easy, safe and familiar?  We don't need a ring with a lion on it to live courageously but we do have to make the choice!

How are you living courageously?  When was the last time you were afraid?  What did you do?  How do you want to live so that you become a better person and are a part of creating a better world?  Who have you seen live courageously? What does it look like?  Are you choosing to live courageoulsy?  Live Courageously!  Live Tall!

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar."     Raymond Lindquist