Courage Trumps Fear
Does it matter how much we know or how we respond?
We’re often told that in social contexts, it’s best to avoid conversations that involve religion and politics.
It’s commonly accepted that such topics can instigate heated debate, and that you would be wise to evade or steer discussion away from them, should they ever arise.
Yet in our current cultural climate both subjects arise often; in fact it is almost impossible these days to escape the controversy that religion and politics seem to inflame (perhaps cause in some cases), and we may find ourselves getting caught in the crossfire of the increasing divisiveness in our world.
‘Our world’, whether in a personal context or on a global scale; because I have no doubt that where we are now in the timeline of earthly existence, is generating more inner turmoil and confusion about who we are than ever before.
Unless you are actively distancing yourself from social media, or any media for that matter, you have certainly been affected by the repercussions of a recent monumental political event in one way or another.
The attempted assassination of Former US President Donald J. Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania two weeks ago has dominated news headlines and will continue to be integral to commentary and analysis leading up to the presidential election come November.
I have been reading, watching and listening as the inspired and the skeptical contribute their thoughts and opinions – some with sound logic and many with passionate hysteria. It has been somewhat challenging to ascertain what is true, yet easy to conclude what is unproductive.
Beyond the conspiracy theories, the attack on Trump has prompted some into historical analysis and reflection; encouraged others to reconsider their perspectives and attitudes and even instigated cautious preparation should such a despicable act recur imminently elsewhere in the world.
All of the above, reasonable responses to this incredibly significant moment in political history.
I take a moment here to try to understand my own thoughts and feelings about it all; acknowledging that I could always be more informed, more open-minded and more impartial than I am right now. But I wonder, does it matter the depth of what we know or what we choose to do with the knowledge that we do have?
Of course, truth in all of its reality and objectivity must preside if we are to have any chance at achieving the peace we all desire; but I pose the question:
What if we were okay with not knowing?
I am in no way suggesting a life of blissful ignorance or diminishing the importance of self-awareness and education, rather I’m curious how we would fare by relinquishing the often self-imposed responsibility of accruing all of the knowledge in all of the world.
We now have access to more information than we've ever had before and more mediums, channels and platforms to consume said information. The human race has never been more intelligent, advanced and resourced as we are in this very moment.
Yet everything in excess as we know, can be harmful, and as such, 'knowledge', or the quest for it has been made somewhat of an idol in modern culture.
Knowledge is power as goes the old adage, but how that power is wielded must be up for scrutiny.
In the case of the assassination attempt on Trump, it has been fascinating to observe how people of both dominant political leanings have leveraged their knowledge of the event to serve their own agendas – for better or for worse.
The absolute worse being those lamenting a failed attempt at the murder of another human being.
Regardless of our personal beliefs, opinions, backgrounds and experiences, there must be something universal that unites us all and where else can we find common ground but in the virtues of truth, love, courage, freedom and hope?
For Americans, it's right there in their founding documents:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
If we learn to uphold this truth at the very least, all the unknowns shouldn't matter as much.
We won't need to idolise knowledge to feel in control.
We won't need to hold anger at those with different opinions.
We won't need to fear the uncertainties which are certain in this life.
There is power not just in the depth of our knowledge, but in its application.
Here is what I know:
The 78 year-old former president getting to his feet right after being shot at, raising his fist in the air and proclaiming ‘fight’ is resilient courage
The father sacrificing his life to shield his family from open fire is heroic courage
The photographer capturing the historic picture below is creative courage
There are those who disagree with and even deride the perspective that Trump surviving the heartless attempt on his life was a miracle. But his courage to stand up to the threat of evil and instil hope in his supporters cannot be denied.
Courage enables us to defeat fear.
That is what I know.
