The Cycle of Courage

Truth be told, being a military child is a challenging and sometimes frustrating role to play, losing friends, constantly moving to scary, unknown places, and having my parents deploy. One tool that helps military children like myself overcome these obstacles is what I like to call the cycle of courage, a pattern that I often observe and demonstrate. It goes like this: someone is inspired by another person’s bravery or kindness, they act with the same courage that they observed, and overtime become a role model for other struggling peers. I am sure that this cycle is different in everyone’s lives, but this is how it changed mine.
There is often an inspiration to spark courage in one’s life, mine is my mom. My mother was a commander, pilot, and skydiver in the Wings of Blue parachuting team. She did frightening things like launching herself out of airplanes, flying through warzones, and giving public speeches. (Which is not hardly as dangerous or interesting as her other feats, but requires courage all the same). Knowing my mom did these things made me feel more confident in my own daily challenges. If she could sky-dive from thousands of feet up in the air, then I could do a math test, or saying goodbye to a moving friend, or any other daily challenge that seemed easy or insignificant compared to her accomplishments.
With this courage that my mom had reflected on me, I felt my limits break away, leaving me less restrained by my fears and embarrassments. (Having courage does not only apply to scary situations or fear alone). I felt brave, and didn’t chicken out on things. One example would be roller coasters, a silly, but accurate demonstration. I am afraid of heights, so in the past, I would sit out on roller coasters at theme parks, while my family rode them. Even though I am still afraid of heights, I don’t let that stop me from having fun with my family, and enjoying roller coasters. In a way, having courage helped me embrace the roller coaster of life without holding back.
Feeling this limitless kind of euphoria was amazing. And I want this for all of those around me as well. So I try my best to spread courage like my mother did for me. At home, and around my peers, I strive to be a good role model, and encourage and empower others, especially those struggling with a deployed parent or moving. I think that this is very important, especially in this day and age, negativity is such a common thing. If you want to encourage people, all it takes is kindness and patience, even the smallest gestures and demonstrations impact others.
Courage has greatly affected my life. Spreading courage and kindness can make a difference in any community, anywhere and it starts with one person. You could be that person. In the words of President Andrew Jackson: “One man with courage makes a majority.”