A Soulful Journey

"Fear is a reaction. Courage is it decision." - Winston Churchill

“The test of courage is not to die but to live.”   - Alfieri There are times when we feel exhausted and are ready to give up.  That is when the strength from God and our inner courage join to give us the fortitude to push onward.

“Learning is not worth a penny if courage and joy are lost along the way.”   - Pestalozzi (a predecessor of Montessori)

“A very popular error, having the courage of one’s convictions; rather it is a matter of having the courage for an attack of one’s convictions.”     - Nietzsche This is the real test of strength.

One of the most powerful positive stories of choice is told by writer, Niel Lorenz of Dayton, Ohio. Lorenz tells how a friend, a young wife and mother were three, chose to spend the last year of her life while afflicted with cancer. ”Linda made it clear from the beginning that cancer was inconvenient, annoying and unwelcome, but that it would not rule her life.   Accordingly, she and her whole family continued to take scuba lessons at a local pool to prepare for a big family vacation in the Cayman Islands. Linda was determined not just to go but to participate in the family holiday. So adamant was she about this that when her blood count proved dismal the day before the intended trip, she simply checked herself into the hospital overnight, and received the medication she needed through an all-night I.V. connection. Once in the islands, she rested and watched her family go out for their daily excursions to the reef. But she wanted to go diving with him, be a participant, not ...

Consider the turtle.  He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. — James Conant

When life is difficult and all seems lost, here is advice from one of the greatest tzaddikim of all time:  “The vicious attack of the bear is a portent of the protective action of the lion.  Renewed faith in God’s ultimate promises is a proper way of responding to national tragedy.”   Comments Levi Yitzhak, “He who is merciful to the orphan and the widow will merit seeing the comfort of Zion.” In other words, keep to your soulful path.  Never be changed by what others do.

“There are no guarantees. From the viewpoint of fear, some are strong enough. From the viewpoint of love, none are necessary.” ~ Emmanuel In the memorable story of the Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion with his friends approached the Wizard to obtain what they most needed. While Wizard was a sham, what he brought about from the Straw Man, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion was genius. The Wizard said to the Lion, “You have plenty of courage, I am sure. All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces a rue danger. True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.” The Lion could not accept the Wizard’s words. He did not believe he had such power in him. The Wizard then took another approach. Placing before the Cowardly Lion a vial of green liquid, Oz commanded the beast to drink it. “What is it?” queried the lion. “Well, if it were inside you it would be courage. You know, of course, t...