Nov 1, 2011

Do You Have the Courage?


This is my November submission for Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group.  For those NaNo-nites out there reading...happy writing!

Do you have the courage to sing along with your favorite song…even when you’re listening on headphones in a crowded room?

Do you have the courage to wear in public what’s comfortable…not necessarily fashionable?

When faced with choosing between the popular path and one less traveled, do you have the courage to make a trail of your own?

You may trust your instincts, even your judgment, but do you have the courage to trust your emotions?

Do you have the courage to speak up for those who are afraid or unable, to speak for themselves?

Do you have the courage to admit that sometimes there is a difference between being wrong…and not being right?

Do you have the courage to realize that a single friend willing to stand by you through thick and thin is worth a 1000 Facebook friends?

If you’re comfortable with your body and your health, do you have the courage to order desert when everyone else declines?

If you have children, do you have the courage to let them learn from their own mistakes?

Do you have the courage to admit to your parents that you made a mistake?

Do you have the courage to realize that doing something for yourself, isn’t always selfish?

If you come across a stranger who looks to be having a terrible day, do you have the courage to give them hug and bring a smile to their face?

When you’re told that “shit happens”, do you have the courage to reply with “not to those who pay attention.”

Although today’s pain may be unbearable, do you have the courage to let it become tomorrow’s strength?

Do you have the courage…to question someone else’s?

Finally...you need to know that your passage to eventual publication is fraught with rejection, ridicule, up-turned noses, crushing setbacks, self-doubt, self-loathing, frazzled nerves, agonizing waits, and paralyzing second-guessing. Do you have the courage?

31 comments:

  1. S.A. LarsenッNovember 1, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    A very thought-provoking post, Don. I love the part about forging your own path. So often, we get caught up in others' path, which can drain our courage and focus on our own journey.

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  2. Susan FieldsNovember 1, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Great questions! I must say, I'm finding more and more courage to wear what's comfortable but not necessarily fashionable in public as I get older. Probably not a good thing!

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  3. Sara B. LarsonNovember 1, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Love this! Gives me a lot to think about...

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  4. April PlummerNovember 1, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    Very nice post. It did make me think. Sometimes, I have courage for certain things. Some things I don't ever have courage for. Right now, I'm taking the risk of self-publication...so we'll see. So far I've had the courage to begin. The fear hasn't quite set in yet because I've been busy editing and learning to market myself. But last night, the fear started creeping in, and, well, I don't want to hi-jack your post, but I'm sure I'll blog about it at some point. Thanks for the thought-provoking post.

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  5. Talli RolandNovember 1, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Yikes. I must admit, I don't have a lot of courage for many of these things, although I'm learning. Slowly.

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  6. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 1, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Ninjas are always courageous and brave!
    And brave means doing the right thing whether you're scared or not.

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  7. Kelly LymanNovember 1, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Wow. Great post- great things to think about. I'd like to say that yes, I have the courage for most of the questions, but I know that isn't true. It totally takes courage to do the writing thing...there are still people who I haven't even told. Guess I should claim victory over that first.

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  8. JessNovember 1, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Wow, these questions really got me thinking! Excellent post. There are times when I could definitely use a little more courage.

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  9. BrindaNovember 1, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    I feel a little put on the spot. I would like to think I could say yes to all, but actions speak louder than words, eh? I'll have to monitor myself. :)

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  10. Angela BrownNovember 1, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Very encouraging post about having courage. I couldn't help giggling to myself when I thought about your first one: "Do you have the courage to sing along with your favorite song…even when you’re listening on headphones in a crowded room?"

    Why no, not sing, but I'll hum the heck out of it :-)

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  11. Nicole PylesNovember 1, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    Good post - I think we all should strive for that "road less travelled" and look to set ourselves apart and not just fit in with the crowd!

    Also - (((HUG)))) :) Thanks for accepting the award!! Ha ha!

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  12. LunaNovember 1, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    I hope I do end up having the courage for all of those things, especially the last one.

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  13. Sarah AhiersNovember 1, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    my courgae all depends on how well i'm fighting my laziness. Sloth is definitely the seven deadly sin that would end me if it had a choice.

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  14. Julie DaoNovember 1, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    A lot of things in life take courage. The beauty is that even if you aren't born with it, courage comes with time and experience and RISK. Great post!

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  15. Jemi FraserNovember 1, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    I hope so! :)

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  16. UnknownNovember 1, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    I sure hope so. I try. Perhaps, we all try...yes, that's it. We do all try. Sometimes I fail. Great post, DL.

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  17. Heather M. GardnerNovember 2, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    I don't know if its courage or chutzpah but I've got to keep trying. Too much time invested.
    Great post.
    Heather

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  18. Nicki ElsonNovember 2, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Hmm, I'd say I'm batting about 500 on those courage questions---some of them are quite thought provoking...must go think now...

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  19. Wendy Tyler RyanNovember 2, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I can say "yes" to some of these, but not all of these. Interesting post.

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  20. Jessica SalyerNovember 2, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Thanks for getting me thinking. Some of them I know the answer to because I've been there. The other ones I'd like to think that I would "do the right thing" in those situations, but would I?

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  21. farawayeyesNovember 2, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    WOW! I do have the courage, please help my un-courageousness.

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  22. PK HREZONovember 2, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    A resounding yes! Well, maybe not the ordering dessert one... but YES to all the others. It makes life interesting. And this is such a great reminder of how we need courage to believe in ourselves and our dreams. Thanks, DL!

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  23. Lydia KangNovember 2, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Not always. These are hard questions to ask and many times I answered no. I find that I'm able to say yes the older I get though!

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  24. StinaNovember 2, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    This is an AWESOME post, DL.

    When faced with choosing between the popular path and one less traveled, do you have the courage to make a trail of your own? << This is my husband. Though he usually ends up with us getting lost.

    Oh, you didn't mean when he and I go hiking. I get it now. ;)

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  25. julie feddersonNovember 2, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    I really loved this list, so true and questions that we all need to ask ourselves. Although I'm not sure my ratty sweatpants reveal anything but fashion insanity.

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  26. dolorahNovember 3, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    So; you theme is about courage :)

    Intriguing questions, deserving of much thought.

    ......dhole

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  27. Alison MillerNovember 3, 2011 at 3:51 AM

    This is awesome. Great questions!

    If you have children, do you have the courage to let them learn from their own mistakes?

    So, so hard to do.

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  28. LTMNovember 3, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Excellent post, DL. I can answer "yes" to about half of those. The ones I'm learning about these days are the present pain and future strength.

    But I like the "not to those who pay attention." :D Good one~

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  29. kahNovember 3, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Yes! To almost all of them! :)

    Awesome questions.

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  30. Catherine DentonNovember 3, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    I found myself saying yes and no at about the same rate. Thanks for inviting me to be courageous.
    My Blog

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  31. Brenda DrakeNovember 3, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Yes, I have courage to do all of them, especially the order desert one. Great post! <3

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