Uncle Mikes
A Cowgirls Courage
Courage. Something easy to define, right? What image comes to mind when you hear it? A Policeman, Firefighter, a Soldier? Sure, all of those people have courage. It’s on display daily for us to see. They write stories and poems to those heroes, just as they did the heroes of the past. They give them medals and put up statues of them. Anyone can see this kind of courage. Book lessons are full of the exploits and triumphs of our heroes, and learning about them is one of the best things about book lessons. But there is another kind of courage, one you don’t see so easily. A Cowgirl’s Courage.
Some people will think, when calling on courage, that it will answer in a loud voice, calling you to action. Sometimes it does. But, sometimes, courage is just a little voice inside you that says get up and try again. Sometimes courage is a little voice whispering in your ear telling you to just keep going. While it’s easy to see the kind of courage that history recalls, it’s the unseen heroes who sometimes display the most courage. Those who carry on because they have no other choice. The courage to not give up when everyone else has given up on them.This is a Cowgirl’s Courage.
As an old cowboy, I know first hand how easy it is to be brave when the bullets are flying.It’s easy to be a hero when you don’t have a lot of options. Any real hero will tell you that they just did what anyone else would do, that they just did what was right no matter what was going on around them. Bravery often manifests itself into a weapon when it is truly “Do or Die“. But what about a cowgirl’s courage?
As much as our heroes deserve all the accolades that come their way, I tend to consider just as courageous the ones who could just as easily just say to heck with it, and give up. I think of the single mom who finds the courage to get up every morning to another day of drudgery, because her kids are counting on her. I think of the daughter who must lead her family, new in the USA, because no one else can speak English. I think of the girl who was just embarrassed in front of the whole class, and still finds the courage to go back into the dance. I think of the boy who struck out the last few times, but is undaunted as he heads back to the plate, to give it one more try. All of these, and so many unseen others, show just as much courage as any soldier in combat, maybe more. If a soldier gives up, the consequences could be deadly. For themselves, and for others.The same with the single Mom, and she knows it. If she gives up, it’s her kids who would be harmed. She finds the courage to go on from her children. When it would be easier to just shut off the alarm, roll over and say to heck with it all. But she doesn’t. She gets up, and just keeps going. As deserving of songs, stories and statues as any other hero.
The way courage was explained to a young cowgirl is worth noting;
“A cowgirl knows being brave doesn’t mean that you’re not afraid. Being brave means doing what is right, even when you are afraid. Sometimes courage is doing what’s right, when the rascals want to do what’s easy. Courage sometimes means speaking out, when it’s easier to be silent, being the only voice in the crowd. Sometimes, being brave means whispering when everyone else is shouting. Other times it means shouting when the others are all whispering. A Real Cowgirl knows that sometimes it takes more courage to ask a question, than it does to wrangle a varmint. A Real Cowgirl knows sometimes it takes more courage to stand up to what’s wrong, than it does to fight for what’s right. But that’s what a Real Cowgirl does, isn’t it, Miss Jenna?”- Uncle Mike
( From the Dear Miss Jenna letters)
Courage was chosen as one of the cowgirl rules, because courage is needed to be able to follow all the other rules. Courage makes all the other human virtues possible. Kindness, generosity, honor, daring; all of these become easier to do steadily if you first have courage. And are practically impossible without it.
Maybe you dream of becoming a policeman, or soldier. Maybe an astronaut, or a firefighter. Perhaps one day you dream of the stories and statues that will be dedicated to you. Maybe along the way, you will find you need a cowgirl’s courage every once in awhile. Maybe instead you want to grow up to be an actress, a singer, or maybe a Real Cowgirl. It takes courage to grow up and be what you want to be. It’s a lesson I need to learn every day.
You may also be interested in the following;
About the Author
R. M. Moore is a motivational author and speaker. His most important writing is on his children’s blog here; Uncle Mike’s Blog
Uncle Mike’s Kitchen with International Chef Mike Mastro
|
|
Stanley Classic Vacuum Food Jar 17 ounce/.5 liter $29.95 The 17oz Stanley Classic Food Jar is the ultimate in durability. Double wall stainless steel unbreakable vacuum insulation will keep chili or soup hot all day long, day after day. The Classic Food Jar has a stainless steel lid that can be used as a bowl, a wide mouth opening, and a rust-proof finish. Every Stanley is backed by a lifetime guarantee. Features: – Double Wall Stainless Steel Vacuum … |
|
|
Open Country Trailmaster Digital 1000 4-Tray $116.81 Dehydrator – Trailmaster Digital 1000 4-TrayManufacture ID: FD-1022SKThis dehydrator expands to 20 trays so you can dry large quantities all at once! 1000 watts of drying power means you can dry more faster. Patented Converga-Flow fan forces heated air up the exterior pressurized chamber then horizontally across each individual tray converging in the center for fast even and nutritious drying. No… |
|
|
Stansport 12 Gauge Shotshell Thermo Bottle-Black 25 oz. #8970-20 $29.60 12ga Shotshell Thermal Bottle – BlackManufacture ID: 8970-2012 Gauge Shotshell Thermo Bottle – 25 oz. 3 cup capacity – Double wall 18-8 stainless steel insulated construction (BPA FREE) – Keeps drinks hot or cold for up to 24 hours – Insulated Cap – One touch stopper – Wide base cup is tip-over proof – Black… |
|
|
The Dukes of Hazzard (Unrated Widescreen Edition) $1.74 The good ol’ boys are back for some Southern-fried fun in this big-screen adaptation of the popular ’80s TV show. Modern-day Robin Hoods Bo (Seann William Scott) and Luke (Johnny Knoxville) Duke come up against the scheming Boss Hogg (Burt Reynolds), who plans to buy up all the land in Hazzard County to build a strip mine. Co-stars Jessica Simpson as barely dressed cousin Daisy and Willie Nelson a… |
|
|
Pieces of You $2.05 Jewel’s debut album, Pieces of You, reveals a special voice–strong and focused on both the whispery verses and the hooky choruses. The recording also exposes an unfortunate tendency to present trite, hackneyed sentiments as if they were oracular visions from a young prophet to a jaded world. For the most part, Jewel sings to her own acoustic guitar accompaniment, but she has a lot more in common … |
|
|
You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs $1.99 Audio CD (September 9, 1997) Original Release Date: 1997 Number of Discs: 1 Label: Curb Records… |
|
|
Uncle Buck [VHS] $2.57 John Candy has one of his finest opportunities in this film by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club) about a perpetual screw-up (Candy) who gets his act together enough to watch over his brother’s kids effectively. The late actor scores big points resurrecting elements of his more decadent persona from SCTV days, but he also has some persuasively touching, sentimental moments. Hughes’s direction is not… |
|
|
Diane Horner Country Line Dancing [VHS] $2.20 1992 VHS Country Line Dancing… |
|
|
The Dark Angel [VHS] $19.98 Every night is dark and stormy in The Dark Angel, a lavish adaptation of Sheridan le Fanu’s Victorian thriller, Uncle Silas. Peter O’Toole gives a delightfully depraved performance as the mysterious Silas in a story of dark family secrets, madness, and murder. Sheltered heiress Maud Ruthyn’s troubles begin when her father hires a new governess. Madame De La Rougierre (played with considerabl… |
|
|
Uncle Mike’s Step Drill Set 25520 $27.95 Special blade cuts cleanly without drawing down or splintering wood. Step shoulder countersinks to correct depth in one operation. One drill for fore end, one for rear…. |
