This week we are experiencing a phenomenon that is very rare to us here in Indiana – hazy skies from forest fires. We are far enough from the forest fires of Quebec to only have minimally hazy skies, but while much of the northeastern areas of the US are highly impacted, we in Indiana experience only the haze: a gentle reminder that we are, in fact, affected. Today it brought to mind a quote I recently read:
FAMILY DYSFUNCTION ROLLS DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, LIKE A FIRE IN THE WOODS, TAKING DOWN EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH UNTIL ONE PERSON IN ONE GENERATION HAS THE COURAGE TO TURN AND FACE THE FLAMES. THAT PERSON BRINGS PEACE TO THEIR ANCESTORS AND SPARES THE CHILDREN THAT FOLLOW. — TERRY REAL
Brene Brown puts it this way: “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.”
Look closely at the image above…bottom left corner. There is the hero. It’s a masterful photo capturing one of life’s most profound messages. One person, maybe the first one in generations, for whom the choice of courage (being afraid and doing it anyway), at some point became a lifestyle. Each of us has the wiring inside to be the person who turns the tide, turns and faces the devastation, determined to be the line in the sand: “It stops here. The new story begins with me.” Many people choose instead to turn and walk away.
However….if you are reading this post, chances are the person in the photo is you.
On behalf of those who come after you and those who are influenced by your life, thanks for making the difference in yourself that changes everything. Thanks for turning towards the fire and facing it down. Thanks for choosing courage.