Courage

“It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.”  – Erma Bombeck (Credit).

….and, dreams become reality and infinitely more beautiful in their reveal.

This photo by Allan was taken at the breathtaking Chinese Gardens in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Action Heroes

My young son has gotten into action heroes.  Their super powers.  Their cool costumes.  Their personality quirks.  Their backstories.  He is even writing his own adventures, which is fun to see.

Why do we love action heroes?  I believe it is because the goods ones are fearless.  Sure, they have special abilities (and often a bit of a death wish), but they face every situtation with pure confidence and come out ahead. 

I believe there is a bit of super hero in each of us and that there are things we can do to cultivate our fearlessness.  

We all have seen examples of where action cures fear.  Placebo medication cures illness.  Making lists make us feel productive.  Walking faster helps us have more energy.  Starting something creates its own momentum.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, a famous German author, is attributed with the following statement, a portion of which has hung in my office for years:

 Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

Said another way, once the bee is face-first  in the flower, he no longer is overwhelmed with the work and complexity of making honey.  He is “heads down” and can focus.  He is beyond fear.  He is an action hero (complete with a cool colorful costume and wings).

Photo by Alan