Physical and moral courage

THERE comes a time or times in an individual's life when moral courage puts a person on at the crossroads. Bravery comes in several forms. There is the visually obvious physical courage like saving a person from drowning or rescuing a child from a burning building.
Then there is the "less obvious" phenomenon, much quieter form of courage called moral courage. Moral courage is drastically lacking in the modern world and I shout it from the rooftop.
A lack of moral courage is seen when a person refuses to stand up for his principles for fear of getting the sack, a dressing-down or possible ridicule from his peers.
Moral courage means standing up for something that you think is right. It demands a mental discipline of the first order. It does not call for a "stiff upper lip", just a mental resolve will do, thank you.
When you see your grandma standing up for you (when you were a child)against the neighbourhood bully and telling him or her off in her sternest voice, it's called moral courage. When your dad writes an angry letter to his state councillor, complaining about that gentleman's neglect of the neighbourhood and that matter will go up to the highest authority in the land, that is moral courage.
Moral courage is not seen the physical size of any person nor is it the monopoly of any gender. Moral courage can be displayed by a child of seven, just as it could easily be shown by a grandma of 80. It's what you have in your heart and soul.
There are lots of people with physical courage. It takes a bit of self-arrogance (maybe) and confidence in your own God-given abilities. Compared to moral courage, physical courage is in a different field.
Moral courage demands a higher price. It could meant incarceration. It could invite ostracisation. It could beg for a lifetime of isolation. Yes, the price for displaying moral courage can indeed be very high.
Who among us has not felt the weakness in our knees in instances when we had more to lose than to gain and all the situation calls for is a simple display of moral courage.
Today, the number of people who have moral courage is sadly lacking. If you want proof, just look read the newspapers. Wherever tyrants rule the roost, there's moral courage lacking in that land. Where's there's corruption, moral courage is absent in that nation or society.
The world cries out loud for moral courage among men everyday but where are these brave individuals when they are so sorely needed? Heaven helps us all. In the end, it begins with us. If one of us starts to show some signs of moral courage, it may help to strengthen the resolve of others who are standing on the sideline.
The time is now. The place is where you are. The occasion is everyday. We must do it for our future. Our very survival as human beings depends on our moral courage to live the way we want it, the best we can and the best we should be.