Dr. Brene Brown explains, “Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant “To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.” Over time, this definition has changed, and today, we typically associate courage with heroic and brave deeds.” For her powerful TED talk on courage, vulnerability, and the importance of telling your story, go here.

Before you speak, THINK. Is it

True

Helpful

Inspiring

Necessary

Kind?

Martin Luther King, Jr. continues, “You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” What would this world look like if everyone was considering what they could offer rather than what they could take? For an inspiring video on this point by Nipun Mehta, the founder of the organization I work with, ServiceSpace, go here.  Very much worth the watch!!

Sometimes we take our eye off the ball, lose the forest for the trees, and many other cliches. Who is hurting right next to you in your family, in your office, in your home? What needs attending to right now in your immediate orbit? What difference can you make among those closest to you? Don’t let the encouraging word go unspoken or the helpful hand stay in your pocket.

When your child walks the room, do you ask if they’ve brushed their teeth and hair, or do you simply glow because you are looking at a precious gift from God? For more, watch Toni Morrison discuss this issue with Oprah here.