Courage - A deviation from the norm
by Theresa Cahill
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2003


In the movie, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's
Stone, there's a great line. It comes at the
end of the movie, when they are deciding who
wins the House Cup. Dumbledore, the head wizard,
awards 10 points to a little boy named Neville
Longbottom, stating:

"It takes a great deal of courage to stand up
to your enemies, but it takes a great deal more
to stand up to your friends."

Surely at some time or other we may all cross
paths with individuals determined to undermine
anyone and everyone, at all costs. Individuals
we just might perceive as "friends."

Will we be swayed? Better still, should we be
swayed?

I think not.

Keeping one's head clear and maintaining ones
own business should take precedence over any
petty quarrel not of our own making.

Having faith in one's own self to do the right
thing - always - should be uppermost in all
of our minds. Honesty, integrity, good business
practices - without those we are truly nothing.

Remember the school yard bully? The person with
the sweet smile who, when the teacher's back was
turned, snarled and snapped making demands that
others scurried to carry out? 

Were these demands honored out of admiration or
a lurking fear of the demander?

Should anyone have that much power over us?

I think not.

Avoid getting entangled in the problems of others.
I mean the truly petty stuff turned inside out
and twisted all out of proportion.

We know there are always two sides to every issue,
and not always do both parties have the means
or platform to air their grievances. If we aren't
allowed to hear both sides to any argument, how
do we really know what the truth is?

Remember, it does take a great deal of courage
to stand up to your friends, but it also takes
a great deal of courage to stand up for ourselves.
Don't be sucked in by bullies with sweet smiles,
listen with your heart and act with integrity.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Theresa Cahill is the owner of two advertising co-ops,
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