A Blessing For Courage

Paul Dunion

Because life is non-permanent, insecure and

mysterious, it is constantly asking for some

act of courage. The request may be for action

when feeling scared and vulnerable, or for no

action when feeling determined and tenacious.

of course, vulnerability may lead to passivity.

Let the voice of vulnerability alert you to the

possibility of action. Muting the feeling of its

voice may distance you from life’s request for

courageous action. When you can’t hear what

life is asking, you can’t live life on life’s terms.

You can neither give nor receive from life.

Feeling vulnerable lets you know you are

scared. Ask: “Does the emerging voice within

me have a heart?” If the answer is yes, then

speak boldly. It is likely a time for you to

come forward, for you are creating yourself

in this courageous moment.

When some guttural grit demands you step

forward, positioned with a firm voice, pause.

Ask: “What accelerated the pumping of my heart?”

“Whom will my action serve?” As you settle

yourself, with boldness subsiding, notice a

quiver of fragility waiting, as you let go of control.

Tenacity may lead to some bold action, when

the moment would have been served by yielding.

You will likely need to forgive yourself again

and again for missing an opportunity to act

courageously. It is only too easy to slip into

berating yourself for some alleged cowardice.

It is not necessary to either boldly act or

wisely surrender each day. You are asked to

live the question: What courage is life asking

of me? This is the way of living courageously.

Life’s invitations to courage are so enormous,

easily eluding your best efforts to get it right.