Be Brave & Take Courage

I recently started journaling as a way way to collect my thoughts daily, to express my thoughts, and to try to learn something new everyday. Much like meditating, it requires patience and commitment, but I'm finding that if you stick to it, it can improve your life in significant ways. I thought I would share one of my 'musings' of today...

I learned that February 19th is the birthday of Nicolaus Copernicus. I didn't know much about him other than he was canon astronomer, a mathematician, and his theory that the sun was the center of the universe (not the earth) - which was crazy talk at the time. He believed in evidence and fact but he learned quickly that evidence and facts are meaningless when dogmas need to be protected despite proof of anything contrary.

Copernicus hesitated in sharing his work (as did Galileo, a fellow astronomer). Their work at the time was in direct contrast to what the church would have people believe - so in sharing their work, they were considered heretics.

Courage and bravery; two values that were core for Copernicus and Galileo. To pursue truth (based on evidence and fact) despite the expectations and standards of the rest of the world. The leap of faith they took to present new ideas, to open to new experiences, and the 'uncomfort' that comes with the conflicts created. The leaping and accepting the 'uncomfort' is what opens learning and enlightenment to new thoughts and ideas.

‘Every light has its shadow and every shadow has a succeeding morning’; this is something Copernicus believed and I think helps us to be brave and to take courage. An acknowledgement that even with certainty, there can be distortions and shadows but that the pursuit of truth is a journey! That each day there is new light, there are new opportunities and new ideas to pursue.

My reflection for today: Be brave and persevere in your pursuit of truth in spite of the shadows; tomorrow there will be new light!

#BeBrave #TakeCourage