Finding Our Moral Courage
I've been sitting with my morning coffee, watching the sunrise paint the sky pink and gold, thinking about courage. Not the loud, dramatic kind that makes headlines, but the quiet, persistent courage that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of when he said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
This morning feels heavy with meaning, but maybe a tad lighter with possibility.
I've been reflecting on what moral courage looks like in our everyday lives. Dr. King's dream wasn't just about grand speeches and marches – though those were super important. It was about the daily choice to stand up for what's right, even when our voice shakes. About showing up, even when nobody's watching. About believing in possibility, even when the evidence suggests otherwise.
In the Uplifters Podcast, I've witnessed this same kind of courage manifest in countless ways. Click the name below to hear these stories.
- Regina Gwynn, who decided to tackle the lack of diversity among tech leaders and help black women build the next generation of billion-dollar companies.
- Lekeshia Hodge, who channeled her experiences with homelessness into a program that helps others learn self-love, self-care, and confidence.
- Kaitlin Johnstone, a teacher who was so committed to the value of diverse and inclusive books that she left teaching and started a company to ensure that every child has access to inclusive books.
- Sarah Krasley, an edtech founder who's ensuring women around the world have upskilling to compete in the next generation workforce.
- And moms like Amy Cohen, who turned personal tragedy into a movement for change and Heather Hester, who turned her frustration with her gay child’s experience into a platform to change hearts and minds.
Their stories aren't just inspiring – they're practical blueprints for building our own courage capital. They remind us that we don't have to have it all figured out to take that first step. That sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is simply begin.
Their stories also prove that change doesn't happen in one dramatic moment but in thousands of small, brave choices.
As Dr. King said, "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way."
This week on The Uplifters Podcast, we're featuring a woman who embodies this spirit of moral courage in her work. While slime helped save Karen Rabinowitz's life, she also saw in it a chance to level literal playing fields. Different abilities don’t matter much when the medium is soft and springy and stretchy. In fact, in the world she’s created, we actually find more pleasure in our diverse ways of exploring!
As we honor Dr. King's legacy today, I invite you to reflect with me:
What's the brave thing your heart is calling you to do?
Where do you need to take that first step, even without seeing the whole staircase?
What small thing could you do in a great way?
Courage isn't about being fearless – it's about moving forward despite the fear. It's about believing that our actions, however small they might seem, matter in the grand tapestry of change.
BTW, if we want to build serious courage, it’s gonna happen in community. Join us at Uplifters Live on March 13 for a full day of deep connections, courage-building, and celebration! Grab your ticket HERE. Every ticket supports Emma's Torch's vital mission of empowering refugees through culinary training.
With gratitude and courage,
Aransas
➡️ Paid subscribers can find my complete 2025 Reflection Guide below – it's a thoughtful companion for processing your 2024 journey and dreaming into what's next.
➡️ Plus, I'm offering something special: Courage & Clarity Sessions for 2025! In these intimate 75-minute 1:1 sessions, we'll dive deep into your reflections, identify your core desires for the year ahead, and craft a practical roadmap to get you there. I have just 8 spots available at $275 (regular price $400). These tend to fill quickly, so if you're feeling called to start your year with purpose and momentum, reply to this email to claim your spot.
Here's to honoring where we've been and boldly stepping into where we're headed!
Aransas
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