The root of the word courage is cor—the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant “To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.
In a world of public education under siege, I learned about not giving up when I didn’t win the battle. Now I need that learning for living in these times in our world.
I learned that at least as much as misery loves company, hope and commitment love company too. I have to work to resist the pull toward anger, hate, hopelessness. Yes, darker feelings exist yet I don’t want to be swallowed up in them.
I learned to take a historical view. This struggle is neither new nor static.
I learned to listen to people’s stories to get a broader and deeper grasp on what is happening
I learned I am not alone in the struggle for human life, social justice, planetary health. We are part of a bigger picture. We’ve got to be strong. We’ve got to be tough. We have to keep trying.