Courage

"You have plenty of courage, I am sure," answered Oz. "All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty."  -The Wizard, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Many believe and are taught that courage is the complete absence of fear.  That standing unafraid is the definition of courage.  Many think that courage is the giggling teenager, skipping through the neighborhood haunted house, only to pass paint splattered, plastic chainsaws and cheaply costumed characters.  But in fact, courage is simply the fourth grade boy scout, tip toeing into the dark woods, shaking, but knowing the fate of the campfire depends on what fallen branches he can gather.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but actually the presence of fear.  Fear nurtures and gives birth to great courage.  Courage is formed in the depth of our greatest terrors and insecurities.  It is the motivation to press on despite timidity.  This courage is made when we finally understand the value of something bigger than fear.  Something bigger than ourselves.

Courage is found in the wounded soldier, bloodied and broken, knowing his time is limited, yet continues to reload his gun until he sees the flag of his country flying among the smoke and gun fire.  Courage is also found in the young reporter, successful yet daring, who knows his latest article may jeopardize his job, yet publishes it anyway, finally enlightening the public with the truth.  It is the high school senior, who knows her pregnancy will cost her the dignity, reputation, friends, and scholarship she worked so hard to maintain, yet decides to have and raise the child.  Courage comes in many forms.

I have seen courage displayed in the most unusual ways lately.  Many times, courage is forced upon us.  For me, it is the realization that in a few short months, I will have to leave behind my family, friends, and home and embark upon a new life.  I must be educated without the censorship of others and I must find my place in the world.  I am scared to be alone.  I am scared to not have a safety net.  But I know that college will shape me and form me into who I will become.  And I know that is well worth the risk.