Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. – John Wooden
Courage without a Cape
We are often drawn to people on screen wearing capes or armored suits when we think of heroes. But on July 9th, 2020, 6-year-old Bridger Walker displayed the superpower of courage. Without a cape or a suit! Bridger stood between a bloodthirsty dog and his little sister. He took the brunt of the dog’s ferocity and protected his sister. He required surgery and stitches to repair the damage done to his face. Bridger reminded us that courage knows no age, size, or status. It begins with the heart to stand for what is right, even at the expense of oneself. What stunned me even more was what Bridger told his dad. He said, “If someone had to die between my sister and me, it should be me.” This is coming from a six-year-old. Bridger teaches us that courage helps us maintain our standards.
The Impact of Courage
We may not have to fight off a dog like Bridger. But there are some societal maulers, like injustice, corruption, human trafficking, global poverty, and hunger, on the prowl. They will require courage to face and fight them head-on. My friend Samson once said, “Courage is elemental to success and wholesome living.” Borrowing from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., courage is “the inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles.”
Courage is a magnet, drawing out our convictions when convenience tempts us to take the easy path. Convictions or standards, deep-seated beliefs that guide our lives, are strengthened by courage. Bridger’s conviction to protect his sister drove him to stand between the dog and his sister, enduring the attack. Courage breathes life into convictions, catalyzing social and societal change. It encourages us to defend our beliefs, advocate for justice, and strive for a better world. This transformative power of courage gives us hope for a brighter future. Our collective courage can bring about significant change.
Courage is a magnet, drawing out our convictions when convenience tempts us to take the easy path.
Courage is also the antidote to fear. Despite his young age, Bridger could have fled without blame. Most of us would have sought safety. But Bridger chose differently. He refused to abandon his sister. His courage was a powerful reassurance that she was not alone. Sometimes, all someone needs to know is they are not alone. We will stand with them in the tailwinds, headwinds, and crosswinds. Our courage to stand with others can also give them the courage and confidence to press on. Your courage might even help them be courageous enough to stand with someone else. This can start a chain reaction of courage. This story of Bridger’s bravery is a powerful reminder. It shows that courage empowers us to overcome fear. Courage helps us stand up for what is right.
Final Thought: For courage to be a regular part of our lives, we must resist fear. We must also resist selfishness, jealousy, hatred, bigotry, and discrimination. These are courage suppressants. They stifle and suffocate our courage, keeping us dormant and passive instead of active when it matters. Courage requires selflessness, and our world needs people who will say enough to the above suppressants and stand regardless of any impending backlash.
Keep on Keeping on
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