I Think The Collective "we" Are Much Braver Than We Give Ourselves Credit For Bein

[MT Johnny]

Like Henry Fleming, I often feel that I am a coward. I was raised under a regimen of fear, and it made me feel weak, fearful, and ultimately like I can't stand on my own.

But that isn't my objective reality. I somehow manage to survive and even learn a bit more about myself and about how to survive as time goes on.

I suspect that is true for all of us.

I like the ending of tne novel:

The sultry nightmare was in the past. He had been an animal blistered and sweating in the heat and pain of war. He turned now with a lover's thirst to images of tranquil skies, fresh meadows, cool brooks, an existence of soft and eternal peace.
Over the river a golden ray of sun came through the hosts of leaden rain clouds.

 

[TXbandit]

Like Henry Fleming, I often feel that I am a coward. I was raised under a regimen of fear, and it made me feel weak, fearful, and ultimately like I can't stand on my own.

But that isn't my objective reality. I somehow manage to survive and even learn a bit more about myself and about how to survive as time goes on.

This is exactly what I needed to hear right now and I can relate. Thank you!

 

[Seasounds]

@TXbandit, @MT Johnny, I agree. And it is interesting to consider that when haunted by the limiting belief, that we can lean into the true, and the freeing, realization.

 

[holdenmonty]

I'm with you there. It's amazing though when it comes to myself I tend to be kind of a coward I guess you could say but when it comes to somebody I love or care about I am very brave and defend them.

 

[MT Johnny]

It's just seems most of the time like the world is out to kill me - and I suspect we all feel that way.

But I don't die.

After a while, it becomes an absurd game of cosmic whack-a-mole, and I'm the mole.

But I don't die.

I just keep hanging in there, and take the punches.

But I don't die.

And frankly, at this stage of the game, I won't give the other side the satisfaction.

 

[TXbandit]

I like you @MT Johnny Please hang around the forum for a while :)

 

[Deleted member 28812]

Is it Henry Fleming from the "red badge of courage"? I googled the name and found several. Can anyone give a synopsis? I did not read it and the Wiki article is so long ;) Is it a good read?

I am a coward at heart but I am a reformed coward because I vowed never to let a fear keep me from doing things. Bravest thing I ever did: Have a second child - because the first birth was just plain horrible. Still proud and so happy my husband is proud of me.

 

[MT Johnny]

Yes, Red Badge of Courage - mandatory 10th grade reading in my school.

Pretty simple, in a nutshell, guy thinks he's a coward because he is overwhelmed by his first battle, runs away, spends a little miserable time contemplating what it all means, and sucks it up and discovers he is tougher than he thought he was.

It is, of course, pretty graphic in its depiction of the US Civil War, so it's not exactly a "happy read".

It just popped into my mind this morning, because it's another one of those "whack-a-mole" days in my own life, bad news about something I can't change, and it "feels like" another "punishment from above" even though I know it's just life.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

As I Say to Sargent Monte, Got your Six Brother, If I call you Brother it is because you have earnt that right.

 

[Deleted member 28812]

Does not sound like a book I want to read but the language is poetic. I like that.

 

[Deleted member 28812]

As I Say to Sargent Monte, Got your Six Brother, If I call you Brother it is because you have earnt that right.

Yes, that's right. Our @holdenmonty is very brave. Monty you just called a guy who served in afghan a coward. We really have to call you out on that. Next time you say "I am a hero" because you are!