In Pursuit of Courage

“Courage. What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage!

What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk?

What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage!

What makes the sphinx the 7th wonder? Courage!

What makes the dawn come up like THUNDER? Courage!

What makes the Hottentot so hot?

What puts the ‘ape’ in ape-ricot?

Whatta they got that I ain’t got?”

--Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz

SMS Theater Production 2023

“This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Today is Columbus Day, declared a federal holiday by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937. Setting the controversy surrounding this holiday aside, Columbus and his team displayed a great deal of courage in their quest for discovery. Sailing across an expansive ocean in three small ships without modern tools, they had to follow the stars to navigate on this perilous journey. Columbus, who became the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings in the 10th century, landed at Guanahani, an island in the Bahamas, before venturing to Hispaniola (now the Dominican Republic) to establish the first permanent Spanish settlement in the New World. Columbus Day was first celebrated in 1792 on its 300th anniversary by countries in the Americas, Italy, and Spain, and it continues to be a source of pride and joy for the Italian-American population in the United States.

Today, we also applaud the courageous world leaders whom we believe have finally set forth the possibility for peace in the Middle East. We are grateful for the release of the 20 Israeli hostages, and for the end of violence and death in this region. Throughout my entire lifetime, this part of the world has been in turmoil, without much hope for change, but today, for the first time, there is the potential for a powerful transformation. We are experiencing history in the making, and I encourage you to speak with your children (to the extent they can understand) about the significance of this moment in time.

Two events, 533 years apart, but both similar in terms of the people who orchestrated them. How does someone become courageous? Courage involves confronting challenges and persevering in the face of adversity; consciously taking action in spite of fear. Developing courage is not an attribute that is implicitly taught, but it can be fostered in a variety of ways. In school, students are faced with new challenges every day, and our goal is to provide them with an encouraging environment so they can learn and grow without apprehension. At home with your children, you can: 

• Read books about courageous characters

• Try new things that are out of one’s comfort zone

• Talk about what it means to be courageous

• Approach adventures with a positive attitude, excitement, and wonder

When children consider challenges as opportunities for learning, they will begin to try new (and maybe scary) things, which will lead to embracing a growth mindset. Developing courage is not something to be learned quickly; rather, it is a lifelong journey. Who knows? Among our ranks may lie the next explorer, world leader, surgeon, firefighter, police officer, or many of the hundreds of other vocations that depend on perseverance, bravery, and courage.

Deo Gratias, Kathy