Courage comes in a variety of forms, expressed outwardly either in everyday situations or in rare occasions where a burst of adrenaline can profoundly change one’s actions. I recognize two distinctive forms of courage, first and foremost being the ability to stand up for yourself. This requires a certain level of self esteem, as well as the ability to directly confront others. People generally become more passive aggressive in dealing with other people, instead of outright demanding change from the situation around them. It takes a certain degree of being comfortable in your own skin in combination with not caring what the people around you think, to have the courage necessary to actively confront a situation heads on. I admit I have in the past been too afraid to face situations heads on (the obvious being not confronting my bullies in the 3rd grade), but I’m flexible in my ability to expand my so-called horizons. But it’s not just about confrontation – courage can be seemingly expressed in everyday affairs simply by trying new things, or even breaking out of your comfort zone.
Courage is seen everywhere in the television shows around us – namely, teenage dramas. From people who confront their significant others after adultery (i.e. Brooke –> Lucas (one tree hill), to people who confront other people when their snowballs are “stolen” (i.e. D.W. —> Arthur), to people who torture terrorists to extract information to prevent terrorist attacks (i.e. Jack Bauer (24)), all these fictional characters exemplify a high degree of courage. In the real world, we can see courage in the heroes that shaped the course of history – i.e. the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution, every soldier that fights in any war, or even the humanitarians who fight poverty and problems everyday within the United States or other countries. Some people living in extreme poverty probably need the courage necessary to confront the plight of their everyday life. These are the heroes we must recognize that surround us all everyday.
And yet, courage to defend yourself is distinctively different from a higher level of courage – the courage to fight for what is right, to fight against moral injustices in the world. Whether this be standing up for someone when they’re getting bullied, to standing up against poverty, war, or crime, these all requires a high degree of courage. It becomes even more courageous to stand up against something other people might like, but still displays a high level of character at least in my book. Heroes aren’t born, but they emerge when people see a situation around them that is wrong, but have the moral drive and courage necessity to confront it heads on. I hope to increase my courage in the days ahead.
