Voices throughout the world (#1089)

Courage has a price. Did you know that every time you choose to be courageous, you are putting yourself in an out-of-control situation? Of course you know this, otherwise we would all be courageous continually, but we are not and that we are courageous at all speaks to our ability to rise above our own self-preservation instinct. Yet some exemplify courage at a far greater rate and continuity than most of us. These are the ones who not only physically defend honor and justice as a career choice, but also those who see injustice and not only shine a light on it but fight against it. Everywhere on our planet people are taking their personal safety and throwing it to the wind in an effort to expose and stop greater amounts of tragedy. I honor these noble examples of humanity as they epitomize the absolute best of what the human species can accomplish with such grit and resolve despite knowingly sacrificing their own safety. Who is greater in stature to me? Those that brag of wealth and shine a light on themselves with a narcissistic bent or those who care not for fortune but seek integrity, justice and honor as their ideal goal in life. I am not obliged to those that adorn themselves with the comfort of exclusion, rather I am obliged and humbled by those who spend their human capital on virtue, regardless of the cost to themselves. I am an idealist who can find no better tribute to make than to feel and know the privilege some humans inspire within me. The capital I want in my life is not material, it is something that only the courageous posses. Living the better and best of who we are, compassionate and curious, to the extreme. True success in life is not measured by the coins in your pockets, it is measured by what you are willing to give of yourself and the price you are willing to pay to do so.