I was thinking about the amount of courage it takes for me to write in this blog. What it takes to put my thoughts and feelings out in the public arena just to see what happens. It takes a considerable amount of both courage and effort for me to begin typing. All too often I have no idea what to talk about. But then, it’ll happen. I’ll be laying down to sleep and I get hit with a bout of inspiration. Most of the time I say I’ll remember it and fall asleep. This instance I could not pass up. I’m not the bravest person in the world, but I’m no coward. I’ve faced down lots of scary situations with stoicism while at the same time being terrified. However, I’ve noticed that often times I’ll lack courage when it comes to speaking up for myself. Often I would accept punishments for things I didn’t do but found myself not wanting to rock the boat any more. You get used to that kind of coping mechanism. Most of the time its as though I’m putting a muzzle on myself because for some reason I think I deserve mistreatment.

I guess what Ole P. Biscuits is trying to get across to everyone is that the most important type of courage to have is self courage. I can stand up for just about anyone but myself most of the time. I just learned to take the hits like an abuse victim. No one’s boundaries should be crossed against their will. I will ALWAYS tell someone to speak up for themselves if someone is spreading a falsehood or trying to cross your boundaries. I will tell people this more often than not. I tell them that I’ll do anything I can for anyone, but first and foremost I secure my own well being first. It took a long time for me to learn that lesson. Lots of being run over with stronger opinions, lots of just following crowds. I still follow crowds don’t get me wrong. Now, though, I CHOOSE what crowd I follow and I’m not told who to follow anymore.

Courage is a funny thing most of the time. After you step though whatever caused fear to begin with and realize it didn’t kill you; you start to realize how trivial things become. You see the world in a whole new way. Things start to cease being insurmountable. Possibilities will open up. All that’s needed is to take the step towards what you want to accomplish. Little did I know how big of a step I took at 18 when I left for the Marine Coirps. For a kid that never knew anything but small towns…. man that was a big change. If I had to compare it to anything it would be the water survival training. There is a portion that’s called the “abandon ship drill” and we have to step off of a high dive in a way that reduces the likelihood that the water kills us on impact. As a recruit you’re already petrified, and they tell us before we start once you’re up there there’s only one way down (they told us that at the rappel tower ). So no matter how much you want to cry and scream the fastest way to be done is just to step off the edge and fall a little. You’ll swim back up from the depths you fall to and reach the surface climb out and try again. Courage operates much the same way from my perspective. Sometimes it takes a few times to get the message that you don’t HAVE to be afraid of really anything non life threatening.

Well, these were a few of my thoughts on the topic of courage. I hope I made a difference and maybe gave everyone something to think on. Oh and feel free to drop future topics, things you might want my unique perspective on. I’d be happy to entertain any suggestions.

“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end, requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men to win them.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson