“Have the courage to say no. Have
the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These
are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”— W. Clement Stone
A role model
of courage and personage of civil rights movement in the United States, the nimble
Rosa Parks had a relatively humble beginning. She was one who couldn’t obtain a
common high school diploma, until after the age of twenty, due to some straining
situations in her family. Merely based on her early modest circumstances, it
would be easy for any snob to disregard her.
Yet with
her courage to challenge the status quo, she was one who not only became the
catalyst of a great change in her country but also a heroine of civil liberties
to many people across the globe. At a critical point during her days, she
decided to assert herself mentally by physically refusing to move when she was
unfairly commanded to do so. And the Law was on the side of the aggressor.
Rosa
knew what she was getting into; she was risking arrest, her reputation and
possibly incarceration. The young lady was risking a lot, all alone. Not many
of us would be willing to risk even one of these real treats to our comfort zone
on any given day. Think about it.
She
reveals the secret of her personal power to us now in the following words: “I have learned over the years that when
one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does
away with fear.”
With a clarity
of purpose and moral fortitude, her momentous decision set on fire a chain of
reactions that eventually compelled the United States Supreme Court to declare
bus segregation illegal and unconstitutional. She undoubtedly demonstrated the
power of courage; it redefined race relations in America till today.
After this
revolutionary victory, Rosa Parks committed herself to educating the youths on
the importance of freedom and the courage to unleash their potential in all
situations.
Now,
let’s see what we can all learn from this heroine in our day-to-day living.
Imitate Rosa Parks; Choose to
Dare
In the
midst of suppressive and oppressive environment, Rosa chose to stand up for
herself. Even though it might seem that her effort was analogous to throwing an
egg against a mountain; even though it appeared she was fighting a war she
could never win. Yes, it seemed she was
making an attempt at futility, yet she chose to try anyway. As a result, she became a beacon of courage
and fairness for millions of people all over the world.
For us too,
if we are to make a breakthrough in any sphere of life, we must learn from Rosa
Parks by choosing to dare when it is easier not to. We must bet on ourselves
against the suppressive forces of a pessimistic society. We must learn to assert
ourselves, when we have no supporters; step out in front, when naysayers mock;
head towards a vision of justice, when the opposing pressure is huge.
We must push
forward for a worthy cause, exactly at those moments, when we face severe censure
and condemnation, remembering the timeless insight of the American
inspirational author, Dr. Orison Swett Marden which affirms that: “There can be
no failure to a man who has not lost his courage, his character, his self
respect, or his self-confidence.” And Marden concludes that, if he can retain his
courage, no matter what happens, “He is still a king.” This is because he has taken
complete charge of the kingdom of his mind.
Finally,
if you want to be a difference maker in your own world, imitate the heroine: choose
to dare.
