Carnival of Courage (Issue #3)

Welcome to the Issue #3 of the Carnival of Courage: A Cavalcade of Superheroes!

Greetings everyone!  We had fewer submissions this week but the ones I received were quite meaty so I hope you make time in your busy holiday lives to check them out and contemplate the questions they pose.  Interestingly, not one woman submitted this week...what's up ladies?  Surely there are some unsung heroines out there?

What is heroism? Do we need heroes?

Jake Danger leads us off with an interesting perspective on what it takes to be a hero, namely an imperfect world. His post The Butterfly Effect, Part II - Planet Earth, Crucible of Heroes posted at Lunatic Wisdom: Life Beyond the Matrix (copyrighted).

His perspective meshes well with Deepak Chopra's comments on the difference between Heaven and Hell in his interview on The Colbert Report this past week. That whole situation was so surreal I thought I was going to have to lay aside the champa for good, but it wasn't a dream. The interview actually took place. The segments can be seen in two parts at ComedyCentral.com: Part OnePart Two

Middle East Perspectives

Demonstrating the courage to remain open when Red meets Blue, Abu Sahajj writes that blogging has resulted in "an intriguing dialogue with a community of conservative, right-wing Americans that I would not have ordinarily entertained, although I’ve desired to for some time. In the process there have been

some conflicts and staunch opposition to political views; there have also been aggressive attempts to deligitimize my work and this blog. However, the bright-points of these exchanges make it all worth while" in Notes & Dialogue on Family and Liberty posted at Hakim Abdullah.

His willingness to engage in dialogue with the goal of increasing understanding is reminiscent of the work being done at The Forgiveness Project, a site dedicated to courageous acts if ever there was one.

What is the courageous course when the genii is out of the bottle? Danny Simkin discusses the chaotic and complex situation in Iraq and the inherent challenges therein in The prairies of Baghdad posted at Samson Blinded.

The Power of Entrepreneurialism

David E. presents the true story of Augie Nieto, the entrepreneur that started Life Fitness, who at the age of 48 was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease in Using an Entrepreneurial Spirit to Find a Cure for Deadly Diseases such as Lou Gehrig’s posted at Worldwide Success. Augie has since developed a foundation called Augie’s Quest, teaming up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), a group that researches several neuromuscular diseases. David announced that 100% of all donations proceeds on his site will be directed towards Augie’s Quest and Feed My Starving Children.

When He Becomes It

Guest blogger Jason's post on Traffic Stops highlights the truly complex dynamic even in what many of us would consider to be the most routine of police activities.  A cop's eye view of an altercation in which he knows he is has become the symbol for something that may have nothing to do with the man he is.

Is one person's heroism another person's folly?

This story just charmed me. Peter Stern says of Trolley Dodgers, "My grandfather was an inspiration in many ways and it certainly is a story about courage – which, I’m sure you know, has less to do with standing one’s ground in front of an onrushing streetcar than with being true to yourself even though you know it will give your father absolute confirmation of his suspicion that you really might be an idiot."

What is the difference between taking a stand and a pissing contest?

DigitalRich goes head to head with a fellow air traveller who nabbed a free seat that DR had dibs on with the flight attendant in Fly The Friendly Skies posted at DigitalRichDaily. I have to admit, I struggled with this entry a bit but the question is an honest one. If my husband were engaged in this struggle I would have been embarrassed, I'll admit. In fact, we had a similar scenario in a restaurant when a couple came in and walked right up to the front of a very long line where the rest of us were queued up to put our names on the waiting list.  Scott defended the line and I just wanted him to shut up about it.  Quite ironic when I think of the times I have been engaged, quite enthusiastically in battles of my own (with Scott's encouragement and support, I might add).  I honestly don't know for myself where I draw the line so I appreciate the way this made me think.  Would love to hear your comments on these posts.

Talk about a radical act!

Travis Wright challenges you to have the courage to turn off your television in Choose To Be Around People Who Make You Think posted at Cultivate Greatness. I'm right with you, baby, but I do need my Jon Stewart fix.

Thanks again to all who submitted! 

Ready to join us?

Next carnival is due out on 1/3/07.  You are welcome to submit any courage related post you like, whether it's your own act of bravery, big or small or that of someone who has inspired you. If you want a topic to get you thinking, I'd love to hear about the bravest thing or most challenging step you took in 2006 or a step you plan on taking in the new year. Share your tales from the trenches as you wrestle with those things that are stretching and challenging you.

SUBMIT TO THIS CARNIVAL by January 1st.

Because I am so awesome: I know several of my readers do not have blogs but do have stories to share.  If you feel inspired to share, please e-mail me your spell-checked and well-written submission for me to consider posting on your behalf.  I want to give everyone a chance to participate but I'm a one-woman show here so pieces that require heavy editing will be returned to you for fixing.

Comments

[Peter]

Thanks for including me in this carnival as a guest blogger. I'm glad I had the opportunity to share a story about my grandfather who could be very much his own man, despite being one of the most gentle and kindly people I've ever known.

[Laura Young]

My pleasure, Peter. It's a great story!