“Courage is not just plunging in when you don’t know the way, it is plunging in and being okay with not knowing the way.” – Kevy Michaels

I’m not one to bite my tongue when it comes to expressing how I feel. But that’s because today I have courage. I didn’t always have courage. In the past, my fears were really centered around being accepted by others, having low self-esteem, and not being confident in myself. I spent a great deal of my life trying to please others. Because of that fear, and not having courage, I made my life quite miserable. I made many mistakes. But, even in those mistakes, I’m so grateful. Because, that’s why I have the courage today, and I can speak up.

One of the reasons that I do speak so audaciously, is because I feel that there’s a calling to do so. There is a certain responsibility for some of us to speak up, and to be brave enough, have the courage to say those things that go a little bit against the grain of what most people feel. There’s a lot of people out there that hear only one perspective. I believe that it is actually a service to provide another perspective, just so that they can solidify what they already believe, or at least challenge what they’ve been believing all the time.

Often what people believe, though, is just what they hear. They usually don’t put the effort into dissecting or analyzing the information that’s fed to them. They mainly get their information from the media today. And, because of that, I think it’s especially important for one to have the courage to challenge things that just don’t seem to make sense, historically, factually, and just in their spirit.

There’s a mass calling for people of courage, not just one messenger, millions around the world. Because today, we’re in a whole different era. Just in the last year or so, we’ve had police killings, George Floyd’s murder, and many others, as well as, related protests and rage. We’ve had Donald, the coronavirus, and its deaths, different positions, and even rebellion. We are experiencing Global Warming revealing itself before our eyes, while many still claim that it is a hoax. Congress in the United States, and probably in most countries is in such gridlock because everybody is so extreme now. Racial supremacy is revealing its face boldly after hundreds of years of being stealth.

All over the world, but especially in South and Central America, Africa, and Europe, there is war, famine, and borders closing of millions of Haitians, Ethiopian, Belarusian, Libyan, Mexican, and Nigerian refugees, who have nowhere to go. They are trying to survive the world that we created, often in which they had no say-so.

If ever there was a time to have Courage, this is that time. If there was ever a time to step out on Faith, this is that time. If ever there was a time to stand for Freedom, this is that time. This is the calling that I am hearing. It leads me to be bold and to speak up. I encourage you to do the same. Kevy

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And what makes things even more frightening and requires a greater sense of urgency from those people who are courageous, is that now we have Truth Decay, fake news, deep fake, credentialing, black fishing, artificial intelligence, media, and social media working against us. In the future, I will create posts and/or videos on these tactics of deception and misleading. Often, it is not conspiratorial. It is simply for money, and control over minds.

The bottom line is that lies seem quite convincing and even sexy to the masses. The masses are often being distracted to look the other way when something sinister may be going down.

The bottom line to those outspoken, enthusiastic, and fearless future leaders and messengers out there, is that you are being summoned to counter the madness!
Hell, even if you are part of the madness, you are also being summoned to be courageous with your beliefs, as well, and stand your ground.
You will only fuel the more sensible to speak up. Many of us are quiet but do have something to say or something that we can do. We simply can’t be silent any longer, in these times. – Kevy

Today, it’s very difficult for some people to take the time to find what the real truth is, with regard to many topics, including coronavirus, racial profiling, inequity, inequality, critical race theory, health, spirituality, the environment, unity, compassion, and love. There are critical reasons for us to have courage now, and to be brave enough to speak out.

On another level with regard to courage, we should individually feel a need to answer this calling, to pursue those inklings that we may harbor within our spirits, feel an obligation to do our part. We really should feel a spiritual and humanitarian reason to offer to the world our purpose, our talents to civilization, if we are as spiritual as we claim to be.

I had the courage to step out and create and publish this blog site, as well as create videos, podcasts, poetry, and other types of media, though I knew I wasn’t and still am not very good at it. I’m still learning, but not knowing all did not stop me. I’m so grateful that I had the courage to at least try. Now that I’ve crossed that line, I realize that this is really exercising such courage was a true testament to an act of spirituality, faith, and courage.

Lack of faith, belief, and passion keeps most of us from being brave. It keeps us in fear over unknowns surrounding the future. We don’t know what’s going to happen, so it makes us fearful. Then we do nothing. Our fears often surround those things that used to scare me, such as being rejected, being judged, or losing material things and wealth.

But if we truly believe in God, and have a strong relationship with God, then we should have nothing to fear.

“Courage is freedom because you can’t really be free, if you feel restricted from being who you are, expressing how you feel, pursuing the things that you want to pursue. If you can’t do that, then you’re not free.” – Kevy Michaels

Again, I just want to make the point that we are in an era now, where I believe, and I’m brave enough and audacious enough to say it, that there is a sincere calling.

There is a calling for certain ones of us, not everyone, to be courageous. There’s a calling for us to be okay with uncertainty because we are okay with God as we believe he/she really is. There is a calling to be unmoved by the uncertainty, because to us, it translates into true Spirituality, Belief, Faith, and Freedom. Besides, fears often only exist in our minds.

We must take today’s events seriously, as we should take this calling. We must take time to pursue the real truth, research it, analyze it, and proclaim it in communication, our associations, spirituality, and works.

Because information, history, science, and facts are being rewritten and distorted before our eyes, and because of the introduction of artificial intelligence, that’s watching our every move and whim, and presents to us so convincingly, we are not taking the time to hear other viewpoints. This is one of the reasons why I feel there is a calling for those who are comfortable with not knowing but still are brave enough to step out, on a feeling.

If we are uncomfortable with uncertainty because it keeps us in fear and silence, we are acting as though we are God. But, we have no obligation or power to control the future.

We were only given control over today, the present. I’m sure that God didn’t give us today, just to fear tomorrow. We’re not powerful enough to have dominion on how the future unfolds, so why not just trust God over fear?

We may not know what the future holds, but we know that God holds the future. We should be comfortable with that, not living in fear, living in courage as an example for the betterment of our civilization.

On the contrary, both “good” and “bad” perspectives on our world help each other. There is still a need for people to not have courage and live in fear. That’s because those energies ignite people who are courageous and who will speak up and act, on their behalf, whether they requested it or not. Both energies feed each other. One, without the other, could not exist.

But today, the scales are skewed toward fear. Fear has become a quite common commodity that the media, government, politics, and religion sell actively. But we are “the people”. Those are institutions that seem to be running “the people”. Because fear is dominant, we must balance the scale with courage and hope.

We need more people who will speak up and who have the audacity to be brave enough to do so, even though they may feel that they speak alone. Kevy

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“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” — William Faulkner

Once again, I performed the exercise of reviewing various perspectives and quotes and Courage, and I found several consistencies. I reflected on those consistencies, relative to my life story, as it has unfolded, and the era that we are in today, and these consistencies appear to be true.

I agree with each of the summarized findings listed below, as it relates to courage.

Here are Pearls of wisdom on Courage.

• Courage is the key to life itself. Without courage we become stagnant, and our dreams fail to ever launch.
• Admit to your fears with regard to your goal. Success does not mean you have no fear. Courage requires fear.
• Courage is not letting fears stop you from proceeding while acknowledging that you may have them from time to time.
• In the end, through courage and perseverance, we will find that our fears were an illusion.
• Courage is the foundation – gives you something to build on. Without courage, you will not be able to build anything.
• Life is full of opportunity. Some ignore or don’t see them. It takes courage to see opportunities before they manifest and do something about it.
• Fears are stoked by evil spirits, people, greed, and our own self-thoughts.
• The reason that fear is requisite to courage is that fears, and overcoming them, marks our transformation and progress. Without fear, they would be no progress.
• Fear is an illusion, because “no one really knows what the future holds”. All that we know is who holds the future.
• Having the audacity of Courage signifies true Faith and Spirituality.
• Courage is when your actions take on a life of their own, that many may not understand.
• Courage is believing so strongly in your ability that you welcome discomfort today, just to take advantage of its opportunity, tomorrow.
• Courage also requires having a vision or goal that usually starts out as a whisper then turns into a roar in our heart. That’s God placing the vision inside of us, giving us an option to be brave.

It Takes Courage To…

• Go against the grain.
• Love and celebrate yourself.
• Stand up for what’s right, even when you’re the only one.
• Face your fears.
• Fight dis-ease.
• Admit to mistakes.
• Defy odds.
• Accept that death is inevitable.
• Live life exceedingly.
• Believe in yourself and believe in God.
• Take that first step.
• Surrender to power great than your ego.
• Be Strong and Courageous.
• Step out and be seen.
• Explorer and pioneer.
• Leave the old and embrace the new.
• Stand your ground.
• Run the Race.
• Give it everything you have, heart and soul.
• Walk by Faith, Not by Sight. I did a video recently on that message. We Walk by Faith Not By Sight Blow The Trumpet Ministries Denver Colorado – Seasons As My Teacher – Kevy Michaels

Add your own items to the list above and evaluate how courageous you are.

It takes courage to do all of these things, and more. It’s hard to imagine success at anything, without courage.

This is perhaps why Morgan Freeman says Courage is the key to life itself.

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“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies but just as much to stand up to our friends.” — J.K. Rowling

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been courageous, even as a child, and more so as an adult.

As a child I took on surprise carpentry projects to please my mother, I was the MC for the entire school fall festival at 6 years old, telling the full story of Peter Cotton Tail, landed my first job at 14, I began college at 16, moved out on my own at 17, lived and traveled abroad, pursued entrepreneurial endeavors, fought conventional medicine’s deceptions, advocated for my mother, against Government agencies, officials, and others, and ultimately gave my health, love, and material possessions up, to ensure that she experienced optimal care in her final years.

…And now, I bare my soul, blogging and writing about my story, without fear or shame, to the chagrin of family members and friends. They say, “Kevy, don’t do it”, and I do it anyway.

To me, that is Courage!

Quotes For Days On Courage

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frighten us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some. it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

“Mistakes are always forgivable if one has the courage to admit them.” – Bruce Lee

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

If I am to sit down, who is there to stand up? – Maulānā Sayyid Abuʾl-Aʿlā Maudūdī [d. 1399/1979]

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” — Vincent van Gogh
“Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.” – Confucius

“Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.” – (Chronicles 28:20) – David also said to Solomon

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali

“Courage is grace under pressure.” – Ernest Hemingway

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – (1 Corinthians 15:58)

“To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.” – Confucius

“Which of the two days of death do I fear? The day in which it was not decreed for me to die, or the day in which death was preordained for me. As for the former, I fear it not [it will not happen]. And as for the latter, it is destined to happen, and even cautious ones cannot be saved on that day.” – Ali b. Abi Tālib

“If I am to sit down, who is there to stand up?” – Maulānā Sayyid Abuʾl-Aʿlā Maudūdī [d. 1399/1979]

Quotes For More Days On Courage

“We must become bigger than we have been more courageous, greater in spirit, larger in outlook. We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community.” – Haile Selassie

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – (John 14:27)

“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use.”— Ruth Gordon

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” – (Psalm 23:1-4)

“The first steps in self-acceptance are not at all pleasant, for what one sees is not a happy sight. One needs all the courage to go further.” – Nisargadatta Maharaj

“We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“One who is shy or arrogant cannot learn.” – Mujāhid b. Jabr [d 104H/722CE]

“Without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.” – (Philippians 1:28)

“I will not allow anyone to oppress or transgress the rights of others, but I will put his cheek on the ground and place my foot on his other cheek until he submits to the truth. But I will lay my own cheek on the ground before those who are humble and modest.” – ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb [d. 23H/644CE]

“Courage is not just plunging in when you don’t know the way, it is plunging in and being okay with not knowing the way.” – Kevy Michaels

“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” — Dolly Parton

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Videos For Days On Courage

FACE COVID – How To Respond Effectively To The Corona Crisis – Mar 23, 2020 – Dr. Russ Harris – Acceptance Commitment Therapy

In this brief animation, Dr. Russ Harris, author of the international best-seller The Happiness Trap, illustrates how to use ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to deal with the Corona crisis and the fear, anxiety and worry that goes with it.

How To Go Beyond Fear – Mar 13, 2019 – Sadhguru

Denzel Washington’s Life Advice Will Leave You Speechless (MUST WATCH) – Nov 2, 2020 – Motivation Madness

HAVE COURAGE, BE FEARLESS – Powerful Motivational Speech – Nov 30, 2020 –Motiversity

Why It’s Important To Find the Courage to Speak Up | Super Soul Sunday | Oprah Winfrey Network – May 23, 2019 – OWN

FACE COVID – How To Respond Effectively To The Corona Crisis – Coronavirus Anxiety (Covid-19): How To Stop Worrying About Your Health – Coronavirus Anxiety (Covid-19): How To Stop Worrying About Your Health – January 29, 2020 – The Psych Show

Courage V Fear – Motivational Speech To Overcome FEAR – Jul 5, 2016 – Team Fearless

‘Courage is the key to life itself’ – Morgan Freeman – CNN – Published on Jun 3, 2014

Key Points

• It does not matter what you inherited from your birth. You can always work your way out of that.
• What matters is what you learn from your environment as you live life.
• Courage is the key to life itself.
• If you say you will never get out, you won’t. …You will never succeed, you’ll fail

COURAGE – Motivational Video – 25,095 views – Angelo Rodriguez – Published on Apr 17, 2016

Key Points

• Success does not mean that you do not have fear.
• Those with courage are afraid too.
• But those with courage don’t allow fears to stop them.
• Don’t run away from your fears; Run towards them; Conquer them.
• Our fears are just an illusion.
• “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
• Our presence, in courage, automatically liberates others.

Be Strong and Courageous – Richard Gorven – Published on Nov 22, 2013

Key Points

• What we desire are outcomes. …An effect that cannot manifest without a cause.
• They need a seed, root, and foundation. Courage is the thing that gives a platform to build on.
• Courage is the foundation – gives you something to build on
• Every starting block journey endeavor starting something new you are a rookie….at the bottom
• Don’t be fearful. Be thankful
• Only required is having the courage to say yes
• Life is opportunity – Some ignore – It takes courage to see
• Courage is opening your eyes and being brave enough to create and move outside of your comfort zone.
• Simple and Easy are very different words
• The understanding that fear becomes transformed to progress
• Allow stumbling in the beginning….you will be transforming
• It takes no courage to be stagnant
• I am worth more than I have now
• Courage is when your actions take on a life of their own
• Smiling and moving forward
• Courage is believing so strongly in your ability that you welcome discomfort today, just to take advantage of it tomorrow
• Courage is taking one courageous step at a time….in order
• Trusting God for he said I will be with you I won’t give up on you
• Follow the vision that God himself place inside of us

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Related Article

The Courage and Bravery of Elders – Ronni Bennett – March 2014

Recently, I ran across a quotation from Muriel Spark on the subject of growing old:

”Being over 70 is like being engaged in a war. All our friends are going or gone, and we survive amongst the dead and the dying as on a battlefield.” – Muriel Spark

Spark reminded me of a blog post I have intended to write for a long time (see above headline). But first, I wanted to be sure I know the difference between courage and bravery which most of us – me too and even some dictionaries – use interchangeably.

Fortunately, there is a respectable website called DifferenceBetween and I’m going to quote at length their explanation of the difference between courage and bravery. Added emphasis is mine:

”Bravery is the ability to confront pain, danger, or attempts of intimidation without any feeling of fear. It is strength in character that allows a person to always be bigger than the crisis, whether he is indeed more powerful or is lesser than with what he is tackled.

“Courage, on the other hand, is the ability to undertake an overwhelming difficulty or pain despite the eminent and unavoidable presence of fear. More than a quality, it is a state of mind driven by a cause that makes the struggle all worth it.

“Unlike in the case of bravery, a person fueled by courage may feel inevitably small in the face of peril, pain, or problems. The essence of courage is not the feeling of being certainly capable of overcoming what one is faced with, but rather is the willful choice to fight regardless of the consequences.” Read More

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Being cognizant of international visitors, I want to do all that I can to communicate wisdom globally for all.

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