Winter was a time of slumbering, death-like stillness,
darkness and coldness. This is a time to
honor Mani, celebrate by Blot, Sumbel, Games and High Feast. A full moon is only a couple of days
away. Today is also the first day of Winter. Mani lights the way for the
hunters at night illuminating the forest with his silvery eyes. Burn a Yule Log and jump the flames for luck
and purification. It is a time for
rekindling friendships, taking oaths and setting yearly goals. Also a good night for journaling your dreams.
On this day we also remind ourselves
of the virtue of Courage. Courage is the ability to do something that
frightens one. Strength in the face of
pain or grief. Synonyms: braver, pluck, valor, grit, heroism.
The brave and generous have the best
lives. They’re seldom sorry. - The
Havamal
Horses are known to be strong, free, swift, loyal,
teamwork, and courageous; and are one of the more spiritual amongst the animal
kingdom. And today, the roar of the lion
is often associated with fearlessness. 'Physical
courage' is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of
death. 'Moral courage' is the ability to
act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement. Are you doing your best? Do you refuse the temptation to be dishonest
or unfair?
Ok, I know almost everyone understands what being brave is
about. However, an important thing to
understand is that being brave doesn't mean that you aren't afraid. What makes people 'courageous' is doing the
right thing even when they are afraid.
Another important idea is that being brave doesn't mean
you should be stupid. If you see someone
being beaten up by a bully who is too big for you to fight without getting hurt
yourself, use your 'courage' to find an official to stop the fight. Courage is the virtue that gives you the heart
to do the best you can to defend others and to do what's right.
The virtue of courage helps us to take the initiative to
make changes in our lives and/ or to accept changes brought before us. Courage can allow you to shed old patterns,
especially those patterns that are harmful to your body or soul. This virtue allows you to reach new levels of
being. No matter who you are, no matter
what has already happened to you, no matter what you have done, it is still possible
to have a new beginning.
Courage is the resolve to act virtuously, especially when
it is most difficult. It is acting for the good, when it would be much easier
not to this time. Courage is a strength
drawn from a wise balance between the weaknesses of cowardice and
recklessness. It is the discipline to
act on wisely-chosen values rather than an impulse.
The
Vikings were known for their courage and bravery in battle, but courage applies
to more than simply being brave in battle.
Ordinary people courageously persevere over fatigue, temptation, and
hardship to benefit others. The single
mother who gets her children dressed for school each day before she goes to
work herself, the unskilled worker who endures a low-paying, demeaning, and
exhausting job to earn the money to send his children off to college, and the
alcoholic who never indulges in a drink are all choosing to do the right thing
despite the hardships.
Have the courage to live by your own code of honor, but do
so with wisdom and discretion. Be
willing to speak truth. Do the right
thing - without risking imprisonment.
Overcome addictions. Have the Strength to achieve in the face of
opposition.
Glad Yuletide to Everyone. Hail!
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