B to the R to the A to the V to the E...

Courage.

Courage.

Courage.

Sometimes all a person needs is this seven lettered word to make one heck of a difference in their life.

They need to know and understand that nothing will happen with their life if they aren't willing to reach for their goal. If they aren't willing to speak up.

Sometimes it's an incredibly scary thing to have, especially when you have no clue what the end result will be, but, I can assure you, if you stand up for what you want, what your believe in, and what you have your sights set on - going after that boy, trying to fulfill this dream, talking to that girl, sticking up for others, standing for virtue, chastity, and honesty, defending your religion, your rights, who you are as a person and what you want to achieve - I promise you that it will all be worth it in the end.

Every downfall you may experience, every embarassment, every finger pointing at you and laughing, will all be worth it. And who knows; maybe you won't have to deal with any of those negative repercussions. Because, between you and me, there are so many people who are willing to stand with you, but who are not brave enough to speak up for themselves. They need that extra little shove to get them motivated. They need that reassurance that they aren't alone.

Maybe you're the one that will help them to realize that.

So, you need to show courage.

When I was a child, I was often scared to state where my stance was in life. What my viewpoints were, who I was as a person, what I liked, what I didn't like, what (and who) I believe in.

I hadn't always been that way, for when I was but a smaller child, four or five years of age, I didn't care what was thought of me. I only cared about what I thought of myself.

Pretty bold for a five year old, I'm sure.

Unfortunately, the world broke me. Too many voices calling out to me, telling me I was wrong, or that I'd never be good enough, or that this thing right here was stupid and wrong and that I was too big for my britches.

And so, I slowly started to clamp up. Eventually I did completely.

No voice, no opinion, nothing, just dead silence as I let others around me talk, chatter, and speak out.

I let the world control my reactions to certain things. I let them talk down to me, play me, and practically destroy who I was.

But, I was able to rise from this, and I was able to speak out. I was able to retrain myself that My thoughts, opinions, and knowledge DO matter, and that I shouldn't be afraid to say or do what I know is right, despite the possibility of others around me telling me otherwise.

Because guess what? I don't care. I don't care what others think. I don't care what they may say, I don't care that they may think I'm wrong.

Your thoughts, feelings, and opinions do matter. Don't ever be araid to do the right thing, to stand up for what you believe in, and to take a step forward. I know you will be able to achieve many things if you try. Prove those who say otherwise wrong, but at the same time, don't care what they think.

I am me. I am here. I know what is right, what is wrong, and what I believe in. I will stand as a warrior, ready to battle any obstacle that comes at me, willing to defend anyone who may need it, and ready to defend myself. No longer clouded by doubt, I can say that I am proud of all that I have accomplished, because I've had the courage to speak up, and to stand my ground.

I will continue to have the courage to do what is right, even if it scares me...

Because this is who I am.