I recently went through my old DayPlanner ~ which I can’t seem to get rid of, even tho I don’t use it for its intended purpose any more ~ and found a bunch of quotes I’d written down and saved. It’s been quite some time since I wrote a post featuring quotes that I like, so I thought I should share some with you, my good readers.
Today’s topic is Courage: something that I don’t necessarily have a lot of, but I try to practice anyway.
I named my very first painting (yup, the one to the right) ~ which I did on February 28, 2003 ~ “Courage”. I always wanted to paint, but for some reason, probably because I mostly identified myself as a “writer”, I didn’t think I could. (I also felt intimidated by the “real” artists I encountered.) I was talking with a friend of mine, a graphic designer, who thought I was crazy to think I couldn’t paint! He dragged me to the nearest art store, helped me pick out brushes, canvas and acrylics, then watched as I sputtered my way – scared witless – through my first painting. I owe him – and his great aunt Edna, who taught him that he could be an artist – a debt of gratitude I can never repay. (And thankfully, my painting ability has improved since then. 😉 )
My second tattoo, which I got upon divorcing my practice husband, is the Japanese Kanji for “Courage”. (At least, it’s supposed to be. It could say practically anything, I suppose!) It’s on my left shoulder, so it follows me around wherever I go, a permanent reminder of what I’ve accomplished in the past.
This quote resonates with me the most:
“Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow.” ~ Dan Rather
Some days, it’s an act of courage just to get out of bed. But I do it anyway (usually).
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~ Winston Churchill
“Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much deeper and much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody’s looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.” ~ Charles R. Swindoll
So, go forth my friends. Practice courage. You may be surprised at what wonderful things happen for you.
Great quotes and stories. I admire your courage!