Did you know the word courage is about our heart? The Latin word cor-is heart. Originally, courage was defined as “the willingness to speak one's mind by telling all one's heart." Today we associate courage with taking heroic action and having “guts”.
There is another kind of courage. It is a core of strength and dignity far less glamourous. This courage involves hardship, is often invisible, and is anything but fun. It is in the stories of others we take the time to hear. Those who have chronic health conditions and their caregivers come to mind. Our military heros and their families are the epitome it. This is the courage to endure.
The courage to endure is having the compassion, tenacity, respect and integrity to stay in a relationship, job, or situation that is hard—or at least less than fulfilling—for a long time, with the faith and trust that things will get better—or even with the knowledge that they will only get worse. It is a true test of our heart.
The courage to keep lasting commitment is a not chest-thumping high visibility risk and reward, but a slow slog demanding love, fortitude, and character. Those who have it deserve every ounce of respect we can give them.
Veteran’s Day and every day we honor those with the courage to endure.
