Dan Rather once said, “Courage is being afraid, but going on
anyhow.” In life, we all are faced with circumstances that test the limits of
courage. In the Star Wars universe, these events occurred regularly, and many
times our favorite characters had to decide whether or not to be guided by
courage.
As a child, I remember sitting wide-eyed, watching that
galaxy far, far away unfold. I was mesmerized by the space battles, the aliens,
and those cool blasters and lightsabers. Everything about this adventure story
was awesome to this little 3-year-old little boy. To this day, even as an
adult, I still enjoy sitting with my kids and sharing these adventures.
During that first movie (A New Hope), some of my favorite
scenes were when that small band of rebels were trying to escape from the Death
Star. With racing action, funny situations, and quick wit, these scenes
contained the very best of the Star Wars franchise.
Now, I know that there is a lot of debate as to which is
better, the original versions or special editions. I know that many of my fan
friends think that Lucas should not have messed with the originals. And while I
agree that some changes should not have been made, the additions to the escape
from the Death Star were perfect.
After breaking the Princess out of the detention level, and
trying to explain away a “weapons malfunction”, this small band found
themselves falling down the trash chute, and in the process, discovered an “incredible
smell.” Escaping the trash compactor (and the creature within), our heroes
wandered through the Death Star looking for a way out.
Mignon McLaughlin once said, “Courage can't see around
corners, but goes around them anyway.” Upon turning just such a corner, the
group ran smack into a squad of Stormtroopers. Han, thinking quickly, shot the
first trooper. The troopers (just as surprised as the rebels) turned and ran.
Han, always the one to test the odds, pursued them with Chewie close behind.
Rounding another corner, the duo came face to face with a hanger full of white
armor. At which point, they beat a hasty retreat.
As Han ran off, Leia made the astute observation, “He
certainly has courage.” To which Luke countered, “What good will it do us if he
gets himself killed?” Of all the characters in Star Wars, Han has always been
one of my favorites. Always just barely getting
by, jury-rigging things to make them work, and proud of the “fastest hunk of
junk” in the galaxy. A little good, a little bad, and definitely not perfect,
Han mirrors so many of us.
Han was that “imperfect” hero. He was the man we could all
identify with. Yet under all the imperfections and sarcasm, Han was a stand-up
guy. He was never one to back down from a fight. In every situation, he always
showed courage.
In our society today, this is something that is often lost.
There are not too many these days that will charge in and do what must be done
– unconcerned with the outcome. Too many are worried about political
correctness, or are too afraid of the outcome to act. Unlike Han, fear
paralyzes them or causes them to simply back down.
As John Wayne once observed, “Courage is being scared to
death... and saddling up anyway.” As parents, this is something we need to help
our children see. Courage does not mean you are not afraid, or that you have no
fear – it means you act in spite of it. Kids today need to know that it is okay
to be afraid. It is okay to have fears. Those are a natural part of life. Courage
does not mean fear is absent, it just means that in-spite of the fear, we will
choose to act.
It does not mean you are foolish and walk around looking for
a fight. It does not mean you push around others or bully them, or rush head
first into a situation without wisdom.
It means you stand up when you need to, and also that you walk away when
necessary.
Han understood this. There were times to fight, and times to
walk away, and sometimes the most courageous thing one can do is simply walk
away. Courage knows when to do each.
Today, courage is also often only associated with great acts
or sanding up and “fighting.” Children need to see that courage can be
exhibited in our every day life. It is standing up for others; it is taking up
the cause that others cannot fight for. It is doing the tasks set before you. It
is helping right the injustices you see around you. People all around us
display it in a hundred different ways every single day.
We need to show our kids that courage cannot be mistaken for
popularity or fame. This is a mistake many make today. People equate courage
with notoriety, and with the recognition from others. What our padawans need to
see is that some of the most courageous acts will occur with no recognition,
and will be done with quiet resolve when no one else is looking.
In a world full of fear, and in a society where so many are
afraid to stand up, our kids need to know that courage is still important, and
that taking that path will not always be easy. Sometimes it will be hard, and
even scary, but if it is important, and if it is worth doing, courage is what
will be needed to see it through.
So what do you think; is courage dead in our society? Do we
have any Han Solos out there, willing to do the difficult tasks? How have you
learned courage in your life, and how are you helping you child do the same?
Are you showing your child the courage that others show in their everyday life?
As you talk with your younglings, remind them that every
day, courage is needed. In all types of circumstances, we have the chance to
display courage. We can either stand up and do the hard stuff, or we can simply
not even try, but it is we that have the choice. As Robert Cody once encouraged
us, “Have the courage to live.” Each day, in each instance, we have this choice
– what are you choosing?
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