Courage through small things
Maya Angelou says that we develop courage by doing small things. "You wouldn't want to pick up a 100-pound weight without preparing yourself."
I have a constellation—a group of wise people with whom I work and play. I learn from them and hope that I can be like the moon, reflecting some of their brightness. Some succeed as writers, lawyers, academics, pastors, and CEOs. Some thrive in being good humans, spiritual leaders, and parents. Some are great artists and creative souls.
Keeping this constellation close by is important. I check in with them through Facebook messages and texts. Sometimes we call. On rare occasions, we actually see one another.
These days, my constellation is growing dim. Not that any of these people are less brilliant in what they’re doing. It’s just that when I see them, I notice their feet move slower, their ambition feels duller, and a cloud of exhaustion surrounds everything they do. Cynicism no longer seasons our humor; it’s the main course. I would chalk all this up to middle-age malaise, but my constellation is made up of people from different generations, so it can’t be that.
