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Courage
The first five minutes of “The Two Towers,” the second movie of The
Lord of the Rings trilogy, is as exciting as any film segment I’ve ever
seen.
Having just battled an army of evil orcs and goblins, Gandalf the wizard is
weary beyond description. His small group of adventurers is almost through the
perilous Mines of Moria when they encounter an evil long since forgotten in the
world of men—a demon-like monster of the deep called a Balrog.
In a heroic standoff Gandalf casts the monster into the deep crevice over
which they battle. As the monster falls, he snares Gandalf’s leg with his whip
and drags him downward into the seemingly bottomless pit.
It is then we see the measure of Gandalf’s courage. Plummeting to his
death (he can only assume) with the very embodiment of evil at his side, what is
his only thought? Self-preservation? Sentimental thoughts of loved ones left
behind? No. His only thought is ridding the world of this inherent evil that
he battles.
In a free-fall through the bowels of the earth, he reaches for his sword.
Grasping its handle he seizes the horrific monster that topples into oblivion
with him and commences to strike the hideous beast—all the while plunging to his
death.
What courage! To battle one’s enemy when all hope for one’s own safety is
lost!
Real life usually isn’t anywhere close to that dramatic but it does get
pretty exciting sometimes, doesn’t it? The bills are due and there is no money
coming in. The deadline looms near and you haven’t even started the project.
The sales quota is unreachable. The finances are out of control. The
relationship is irreparable.
It is in times such as these when courage is needed most. Anyone can
affect courage when no danger threatens. It is not courage to feel no fear when
the sun is shining and the crops are in.
The truly courageous are those who battle on in the face of utter
destruction—who, though they are weary, worn, weak and yes, even afraid, grasp
their swords and do their duty.
What task lies before you now that make your heart quake? Will you face
that task and fulfill your calling, or will you hide and hope for better times?
I believe within each individual lies the heart of a hero that only needs to be
awakened by exercising the power of choice. Choose today to exhibit the courage
that lies within you, and become the hero you were designed to be.
© 2004 Charles Marshall. Charles Marshall is a motivational speaker, motivational author and president of M Power Resources, LLC. Visit his Web site at www.MPowerResources.com or contact him via e-mail at charles@MPowerResources.com.
