I feel like I could re-post this everyday, for the obvious and the not-so obvious truth that we need courage.
Back in January, I watched a You Tube clip from 1965 of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was taken from a segment of Meet the Press. Dr. King was being interviewed by journalists about events that had occurred in Selma, Alabama. The questions were tough and circumstances of the time even tougher.
So what did Martin teach me?
I don't know what was going through Dr. King's mind as he spoke on that Sunday morning news program, but it seemed like he was being carried by something greater than himself. Remember, there were more than a few people who wanted him dead.
Courage is manifested by something greater than ourselves.
Sadly, we live in a time where real courage is often not summoned. We now manufacture events and circumstances to show our faux-courage. We've found a way to manage authentic courage out of our daily lives. Our careers, our parenting, our relationships are often managed to avoid the difficult and daunting.
I find myself thankful for what Martin taught me. The reality that every human being is called to something courageous. It may be small or it may be large. But regardless, we are called.
The question remains, are we listening to that voice?
What's Wrong with the Status Quo?
One of our greatest enemies, from a 2012 post.
So what's wrong with the status quo? A lot, when it comes to problems that continue to get worse.
For the purposes of getting to the heart of things, here's the definition of "status quo" from the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
The existing state of affairs (seeks to preserve the status quo)
I'll use my own experience to set some context and you can apply my example to anything you like.
About 25 years ago I persecuted my dad in-person and alone. I was angry for what was done and for what was missing. I waged this case on what seemed like a daily basis. I protested, I lied, I ignored, and I was silently cruel.
At a point, a few years into my marriage, my wife asked me if I realized how distant and cruel I became when I was around my father. I denied it, I defended myself and I felt exposed. How could she know my secret, my wound, my war? I decided to prosecute on.
The existing state of affairs (seeks to preserve the status quo)
You might wonder why I wouldn't make the choice to change, to turn it around, to forgive. I'm sure there are multiple reasons why, but certainly I felt more comfortable in the prosecution's case. I fooled myself into believing that my existing state would deliver an outcome I thought was right. Little did I know how wrong I was.
Many years on, my case rested and the charges were dismissed. I forgave and got a few years of peace and freedom before he passed. I actually found a man I liked and certainly loved. I do, at times, wish I would have come to my senses or figured out that it Really is better to forgive.
Are you tracking with me? Can you see the danger in sticking with the status quo?
Think about this: