I’m a day late to this question. As a child I was inspired by the story of Wilma Rudolph, the Black girl who overcame polio as a child and went on to be an Olympic sprinter and gold medalist. I viewed Marie Curie as my scientific shero. She made so many important discoveries in the earliest days of understanding radioactivity (a word she and her husband Pierre coined for what they were observing).
Others have inspired me. These two came to mind and I recognize that each of them brought persistence as well as courage. They weren’t welcomed in many of the spaces in which they came to shine and excel. Nevertheless, they persisted.
I am very much in awe of all the courage and strength of folks in Recovery, especially my daughter who has worked so very hard these last 2 1/2 years. She has grown so much and we have become very close. I am so so proud of her!!!.
Harriet Tubman and Mahatma Gandhi,
of course,
are two well-known people
whose courage I admire
for their clear impact on the world in many ways..
Martha
(I either never knew her last name
or have long forgotten it)
lived in a rundown cottage with her young son,
in a small New England town,
just down the street from my own home.
She was a Suzanne,
a wild child,
a gypsy woman
who lived life on her own terms.
I never knew how she sustained herself financially,
but she was a light in the world of my mind.
One winter,
when it was brutally cold,
she brought her two young goats
into the little house she occupied,
and I know the neighbors
snickered behind their hands,
but it didn’t seem to matter to her.
Anyone she met
was worthy of her time and attention
and she made everyone around her
feel special.
I can’t say that she changed the world,
but she made a difference to those who knew her,
established her own little space
and brought sunshine and joy,
flowers and laughter.
A group of us
drove to a local beach
one summer day,
and she,
dressed in an archaic bathing suit,
dove into the ocean waves
and swam like a dolphin,
while the rest of us sat on the shore
in our bikinis.
Martha had the courage
to stand on her own
and not fear the judgment of others.
She was poor
but never asked for favors.
I think though,
that favors came to her
from the love in people’s hearts
of those lives that she touched.
I never had the courage to knock on her door,
so in awe I was of her,
but I wish I had.
I wish I could tell her
what a long-lasting impact she has had on my life,
and I wish
I had realized more deeply
that we were kindred spirits
at heart.
The ghost of Martha
slumbered in the deepest part of me
all these years,
and now that I’ve ‘grown up’
I take some of her innate wisdom
and let it shine
in my own life now. ♥
Whose courage has inspired me. My son’s courage. I’ve shared a lot about my son on this site so I won’t repeat myself except to say whenever I’m in his presence I learn something. He embraces both joy and sorrow with such grace.
Women who were the first or on the front lines of whatever field they chose – when there were no women’s restrooms in their buildings (college/universities or offices). This boggled my mind when I first went to seminary and was shown how only a few years before they had had to add a women’s restroom to the classroom building. Also women who were part of the western frontier movement in the US who for many were leaving lush living environments (for their times) for nothing – just a wing and a prayer. Malala Yousafzai, Harriet Tubman, mothers who have lost young children, my own mother. Women of courage are sometimes just what keep me putting one foot in front of another. And I am grateful for their witness to life.
Harriet Tubman. She suffered what was probably a traumatic brain injury as a child, and when she reached freedom without her family, turned around and brought them North, in addition to so many other enslaved people. She knew nature deeply and trusted her intuition with her life. She suffered illness and pain repeatedly, but made the choice to lead physically demanding, risky acts. All her life, it would seem that the odds were against her, but she followed her calling and benefitted and inspired countless people.
Jesus’s courage has inspired me. He didn’t cave into Peter’s resistence. Here we are. It’s why we’re able to hold Peter in high regards today as one of his 12 disciples.
Our son who is 37. His courage to come out as a gay young man in a rural area some twenty years ago. His strength and courage has inspired me, for he has become a very caring, loving person in a world that is not always caring and loving of him.
Your son,
dear Joseph,
is certainly a very brave man.
I believe
that your unconditional love and support
mostly likely
gave him courage and strength . . .
two qualities
you passed on to him,
father to son.
Blessings for your son. ♥
Not all parents continue to love and support their children after they come out. Gratitude to you for accepting your son for who he is and continuing to love him.
Many – from strangers that I read about in news stories, to family facing battles. Seeing courage in others helps us to find our own courage and inner strength.
Happy Monday 🙂
Since I telework my cat comes to work with me every day. That’s why I often have small punctures in the back of my right hand, though–he sits next to the keyboard, watches my hands moving, and eventually can’t stand it and has to swat me and run away. I refer to him as “my feline supervisor” or “my feline assistant” depending on the day and his attitude.
Indeed. I am not naturally a very courageous person. But when I look at others who have faced what I consider dire situations, I am encouraged to be more courageous.
Many great leaders like Thay and the founder of this meditation inspire me due to their deep trust in Truth. Their courage and determination to keep following the path. Right now I’m having a lot of doubts about being able to let go because I’m currently feeling scared to let go of attachments. I know I’m being impatient, immature and emotional even. I’m being selfish and my ego is wanting to blow everything up because I can’t keep what I want .
This path is about Truth and putting Truth first. Facing my self is the battle and my pride is standing here wanting to scream and fight to get my will .
This has never or at least recently been this challenging .
Letting go right now is so painful I can barely stand it .
I made a complete fool of myself and fell on face out an immaturity. I’m still growing in Truth and now I am humbled and embarrassed by my lack of self control.
I’m sorry that I acted this way.
Antoinette, You are too hard on yourself. There is a really big bully in that monkey mind of yours but just remember there is a part of you that has never been afraid or judgemental and it can lovingly order that bully to hush. And don’t forget to breath. Relax–Release. Sending loving energy your way.
Don’t be ashamed and embarrassed,
dear Antoinette . . .
what we are here for
is to learn and grow,
and we cannot grow
without making mistakes
and falling on our faces once in awhile
(sometimes more often). 🙂
You are loved and held,
‘flaws’ and all,
by a deeply caring Universe
and in your heart of hearts
you will find this to be true.
Smile,
dear one,
wipe away your tears,
and see what a wonderful,
courageous human being you are. ((( ♥ )))
Aww thank you so much Sparrow deeply from my heart. My heart aches so much because of the attachments I hold onto . I know when I use the method it’s being taken away truly but part of me feels like I’m losing. Like letting go will leave me abandoned. That fear is so huge in me and it’s currently coming up so strongly it’s just a burden it’s burdens holding onto these attachments of this false self is a burden and it’s painful. I see it clearly with the universe perspective.. thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it.
The universe method did it again. So grateful to trust deeply more and more. Change and letting go can be painful the ego is strong and doesn’t want to die easily. There can be nothing false remaining.
Thank you dear one .
2
Ose
1 week ago
Martin Luther King jr. and his legendary speech of course – ” I have a dream” , of which I got to know as a Teenager in Germany. It touched me deeply, as such ideas were not known to me at all. I was so touched by his love for his people, by his sense for justice and his wish for realizing freedom for his community and to fight for it in the name and for the sake of the well being of all his people, his strong feeling of compassion, and his great courage. It meant a world to me. In a way, it encouraged me also in my little world in the small village somewhere in Germany, to follow my dreams, to face obstacles in myself and around and do the best I can to serve my own community as good as possible and with all my heart. In school then, later in the places where I worked and now still hoping to be of service for all kindred hearts and beyond and to contribute my little part to possibly better the world with whatever I might be able to contribute. He was pure inspiration to me. When I now read again his deeply touching speech, again tears rise for being so deeply touched by his pure expression of Love and fight for humanity and for the human rights which are birthright for all of mankind. I can only bow my head in deep gratefulness and in deep honor to such a beautiful and upright soul.
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I’m a day late to this question. As a child I was inspired by the story of Wilma Rudolph, the Black girl who overcame polio as a child and went on to be an Olympic sprinter and gold medalist. I viewed Marie Curie as my scientific shero. She made so many important discoveries in the earliest days of understanding radioactivity (a word she and her husband Pierre coined for what they were observing).
Others have inspired me. These two came to mind and I recognize that each of them brought persistence as well as courage. They weren’t welcomed in many of the spaces in which they came to shine and excel. Nevertheless, they persisted.
I am very much in awe of all the courage and strength of folks in Recovery, especially my daughter who has worked so very hard these last 2 1/2 years. She has grown so much and we have become very close. I am so so proud of her!!!.
Harriet Tubman and Mahatma Gandhi,
of course,
are two well-known people
whose courage I admire
for their clear impact on the world in many ways..
Martha
(I either never knew her last name
or have long forgotten it)
lived in a rundown cottage with her young son,
in a small New England town,
just down the street from my own home.
She was a Suzanne,
a wild child,
a gypsy woman
who lived life on her own terms.
I never knew how she sustained herself financially,
but she was a light in the world of my mind.
One winter,
when it was brutally cold,
she brought her two young goats
into the little house she occupied,
and I know the neighbors
snickered behind their hands,
but it didn’t seem to matter to her.
Anyone she met
was worthy of her time and attention
and she made everyone around her
feel special.
I can’t say that she changed the world,
but she made a difference to those who knew her,
established her own little space
and brought sunshine and joy,
flowers and laughter.
A group of us
drove to a local beach
one summer day,
and she,
dressed in an archaic bathing suit,
dove into the ocean waves
and swam like a dolphin,
while the rest of us sat on the shore
in our bikinis.
Martha had the courage
to stand on her own
and not fear the judgment of others.
She was poor
but never asked for favors.
I think though,
that favors came to her
from the love in people’s hearts
of those lives that she touched.
I never had the courage to knock on her door,
so in awe I was of her,
but I wish I had.
I wish I could tell her
what a long-lasting impact she has had on my life,
and I wish
I had realized more deeply
that we were kindred spirits
at heart.
The ghost of Martha
slumbered in the deepest part of me
all these years,
and now that I’ve ‘grown up’
I take some of her innate wisdom
and let it shine
in my own life now. ♥
agree, beautiful reflection.
She was a beautiful person,
dear Michele. ♥
As Carol Ann Conner just wrote “Beautiful”
♥
Beautiful
🙏
Whose courage has inspired me. My son’s courage. I’ve shared a lot about my son on this site so I won’t repeat myself except to say whenever I’m in his presence I learn something. He embraces both joy and sorrow with such grace.
You know,
dear Carol Ann,
that something of what you admire in your son
comes from you.
You
are the mother who raised him. ♥
Women who were the first or on the front lines of whatever field they chose – when there were no women’s restrooms in their buildings (college/universities or offices). This boggled my mind when I first went to seminary and was shown how only a few years before they had had to add a women’s restroom to the classroom building. Also women who were part of the western frontier movement in the US who for many were leaving lush living environments (for their times) for nothing – just a wing and a prayer. Malala Yousafzai, Harriet Tubman, mothers who have lost young children, my own mother. Women of courage are sometimes just what keep me putting one foot in front of another. And I am grateful for their witness to life.
Father Greg Boyle. His work with the gang youth in Los Angeles is a testament to outreach and kindness.
YRAM, I agree.
Harriet Tubman. She suffered what was probably a traumatic brain injury as a child, and when she reached freedom without her family, turned around and brought them North, in addition to so many other enslaved people. She knew nature deeply and trusted her intuition with her life. She suffered illness and pain repeatedly, but made the choice to lead physically demanding, risky acts. All her life, it would seem that the odds were against her, but she followed her calling and benefitted and inspired countless people.
Harriet Tubman’s name
was the first one that came to mind
when I read today’s Question,
dear Drea. 🙂
An embodiment of lived courage, that one!
Jesus’s courage has inspired me. He didn’t cave into Peter’s resistence. Here we are. It’s why we’re able to hold Peter in high regards today as one of his 12 disciples.
Our son who is 37. His courage to come out as a gay young man in a rural area some twenty years ago. His strength and courage has inspired me, for he has become a very caring, loving person in a world that is not always caring and loving of him.
Peace, Love & Light.
Happy Pride month to him🌈
Glad to hear you were supportive Joseph, my Uncle was not of my cousin many years ago.
Your son,
dear Joseph,
is certainly a very brave man.
I believe
that your unconditional love and support
mostly likely
gave him courage and strength . . .
two qualities
you passed on to him,
father to son.
Blessings for your son. ♥
Joseph, Your son is strong like his Dad.
Not all parents continue to love and support their children after they come out. Gratitude to you for accepting your son for who he is and continuing to love him.
Amen. ♥
Thank you for lifting him up to us.
Joseph, it’s not easy to come out, and especially at that time. I’m proud of the man he’s become, and it’s what matters.
Many – from strangers that I read about in news stories, to family facing battles. Seeing courage in others helps us to find our own courage and inner strength.
Happy Monday 🙂
https://nationaltoday.com/take-your-cat-to-work-day/
When I read recreationally
or watch a film,
dear Michele,
I almost always look for stories
of courage and redemption. ♥
ps. My cats are my employers . . .
I am simply staff,
and do my very best
to fulfill all their wants and needs,
to stay on the payroll. =^..^=
Since I telework my cat comes to work with me every day. That’s why I often have small punctures in the back of my right hand, though–he sits next to the keyboard, watches my hands moving, and eventually can’t stand it and has to swat me and run away. I refer to him as “my feline supervisor” or “my feline assistant” depending on the day and his attitude.
”…I often have small punctures in the back of my right hand…”
Me too,
dear Barb. 🙂
Indeed. I am not naturally a very courageous person. But when I look at others who have faced what I consider dire situations, I am encouraged to be more courageous.
Many great leaders like Thay and the founder of this meditation inspire me due to their deep trust in Truth. Their courage and determination to keep following the path. Right now I’m having a lot of doubts about being able to let go because I’m currently feeling scared to let go of attachments. I know I’m being impatient, immature and emotional even. I’m being selfish and my ego is wanting to blow everything up because I can’t keep what I want .
This path is about Truth and putting Truth first. Facing my self is the battle and my pride is standing here wanting to scream and fight to get my will .
This has never or at least recently been this challenging .
Letting go right now is so painful I can barely stand it .
I made a complete fool of myself and fell on face out an immaturity. I’m still growing in Truth and now I am humbled and embarrassed by my lack of self control.
I’m sorry that I acted this way.
❤️
Antoinette, You are too hard on yourself. There is a really big bully in that monkey mind of yours but just remember there is a part of you that has never been afraid or judgemental and it can lovingly order that bully to hush. And don’t forget to breath. Relax–Release. Sending loving energy your way.
Thank you CAROL ANN . The bully is strong today and he’s a rebel . He’s making me want to throw away all of the work I have done .
Don’t be ashamed and embarrassed,
dear Antoinette . . .
what we are here for
is to learn and grow,
and we cannot grow
without making mistakes
and falling on our faces once in awhile
(sometimes more often). 🙂
You are loved and held,
‘flaws’ and all,
by a deeply caring Universe
and in your heart of hearts
you will find this to be true.
Smile,
dear one,
wipe away your tears,
and see what a wonderful,
courageous human being you are. ((( ♥ )))
Aww thank you so much Sparrow deeply from my heart. My heart aches so much because of the attachments I hold onto . I know when I use the method it’s being taken away truly but part of me feels like I’m losing. Like letting go will leave me abandoned. That fear is so huge in me and it’s currently coming up so strongly it’s just a burden it’s burdens holding onto these attachments of this false self is a burden and it’s painful. I see it clearly with the universe perspective.. thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it.
Baby steps,
dear Antoinette.
I too,
have a hard time letting go.
Doing it
a little at a time
helps . . .
baby steps. ((( ♥ )))
The universe method did it again. So grateful to trust deeply more and more. Change and letting go can be painful the ego is strong and doesn’t want to die easily. There can be nothing false remaining.
Thank you dear one .
Martin Luther King jr. and his legendary speech of course – ” I have a dream” , of which I got to know as a Teenager in Germany. It touched me deeply, as such ideas were not known to me at all. I was so touched by his love for his people, by his sense for justice and his wish for realizing freedom for his community and to fight for it in the name and for the sake of the well being of all his people, his strong feeling of compassion, and his great courage. It meant a world to me. In a way, it encouraged me also in my little world in the small village somewhere in Germany, to follow my dreams, to face obstacles in myself and around and do the best I can to serve my own community as good as possible and with all my heart. In school then, later in the places where I worked and now still hoping to be of service for all kindred hearts and beyond and to contribute my little part to possibly better the world with whatever I might be able to contribute. He was pure inspiration to me. When I now read again his deeply touching speech, again tears rise for being so deeply touched by his pure expression of Love and fight for humanity and for the human rights which are birthright for all of mankind. I can only bow my head in deep gratefulness and in deep honor to such a beautiful and upright soul.