Carnival of Courage (Issue #4)

Welcome to the Issue #4 of the Carnival of Courage: A Cavalcade of Superheroes!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

As you can see, I've been a bit scarce since the last carnival due to the holidays, but what better way for us all to get back in the saddle with some powerful and thought provoking inspiration? I'll be submitting a post of my own for the next carnival, the long awaited conclusion of my weekend visiting the Weiland family.  It's taken a long time to feel ready to write about this but now is the time.  In the meantime, there are several very strong submissions this issue and I do hope you check them all out.  I continue to be impressed with the diverse angles from which everyone is approaching the issue of courage.  As you may imagine after reading this issue, being the host of this carnival is humbling. Truly an honor to read the posts that are sent in. There is much to absorb.

Now, without further ado...

The Courage to Ask for the Truth

Are you willing to look in the mirror? David Maister presents Teaching Guts posted at Passion, People and Principles. This is a great article about the courage it takes to be an accountable leader.  David dares the emperor to ask the crowd, "Hey, am I wearing anything? It feels a little breezy here."  David, I just have to say right on, keep ranting and challenging. 

And because David impressed me with his article, I'm letting him sneak in a second submission here. He has the opportunity to take over a business article for a European newspaper that Jack and Suzy Welch (for those who don’t know, he was CEO of General Electric, she was editor of the Harvard Business Review) which leaves the little dilemma of how to come up with fresh and relevant content every week.  He's putting out the invitation for you all to help shape his column in I'm Terrified and Need Help! posted at Passion, People and Principles.

The Warrior Mother

This is a really beautiful tribute to an amazing woman who never gave up no matter how many obstacles were mounted against her.  Josh Bickford pays homage to the hero who gave everything for him in Embracing The Spirit Of An Over Comer posted at Josh Bickford's Reach For Magnificence.

The Courage to Speak the Truth and the Courage to Stay in the Room When Hearing It

Craig Harper shakes it up with a client and her co-dependent mother in Destiny or Decisions posted at Renovate your life with Craig. I'd say this is a three-fer courage post. Tremendous courage for the mother and daughter to stay in the room and courage for Craig to speak truth knowing that it will not be well received. 

Holding On For Dear Life

Jen shares the powerful story of one family living in the aftermath of the tsunami one plus two: son of the wave posted at one plus two. I want to say more by way of introduction but all I can say is please go read this and remember those who are carrying on after so many environmental disasters of recent years.

Letting Go For Dear Life

And from across the globe, Adeolu Akinyemi announces he has officially become the president of the association of unemployed people of Nigeria after tendering his resignation in order to create a life of his own in Deoluakinyemi » Daily Motivation and Development for People and Organizations - ASE » Blog Archive » Fortune Favours the Bold posted at Deoluakinyemi. You could fit my knowledge of Nigeria on the head of a pin, but I found this comment from Adeolu's article to be very interesting: "I have pondered with keen interest on a strange anomally. Why is it that even though our educational system is reputed to be so poor, our less than average colleagues go out to the west and excel! I have also wondered that if this proved that there is quality within our people that transcends the systems, why does Africa not have “many” inventions to boast of?? My summary is that despite the fact that we have great talent around us, our systems have made us timid, earn as you go security seekers!"  Good luck, Adeolu, and remember to tell us what happens next!

Great quote from this post:  Winston Churchill said, courage is the act of moving from failure to failure without loosing enthusiasm.

Thanks again to all who submitted! 

Ready to join us?

Next carnival is due out on 1/13/07.  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 first time you were conscious of calling on your courage.  What is the first memory you have of facing a fear that required something of you to overcome? Share your tales from the trenches as you wrestle with those things that are stretching and challenging you.

SUBMIT TO THIS CARNIVAL by January 11th.

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.