Have the Courage to Run

Let’s set the scene here.

A lone gritty hero stands atop a roof in the middle of a storming wind. The air is darkening as a swirling black cloud blurs the sun. Everyone else has frantically retreated, terrified at the oncoming horde of villains; everyone but the steely eyed hero. He stands alone and unafraid. With no regard for his safety, he unnervingly stares down the destruction-determined enemy. The fate of everyone rests upon his bold shoulders. In the face of the increasing pressure, there is only one thing that sustains the hero: His courage.

The story is the same almost everywhere. We are fascinated with the courage exemplified by protagonists in movies, comics and books. We love to see our heroes overcome extreme personal loss and then valiantly confront all-powerful villains. Even from a young age we can acknowledge and appreciate heroic courage. In an attempt to emulate that courage, children will devotedly adorn themselves with masks, helmets, and capes. As you age, your understanding of courage will deepen. Eventually, new heroes will inspire you to confront your daily villains disguised as illness, hardship, heartache, and injustice. I am thankful for inspired authors and creative minds that can portray courage well enough to inspire others to seek it.

Media portrayal of heroism is indicative of the value we place on courage. However, we typically only see one form of courage on television. This is the courage that provokes you to take a stand and face your fears. Every hero has this type of courage. But there is a second type of courage, and it is equally important. In addition to having the courage to stand, the greatest heroes also possess the courage to run.

Doesn't sound very glamorous, does it? In fact, it sounds like cowardice to most people. That is because we are bombarded with images of heroes with the courage to stand. In most minds, running is the antithesis of courage. Running is associated with everything that goes against conventional courage. Runners are cowards who wince, flinch, recoil, and tremble when faced with fear. You need to remember that every villain is different. While many times you will need the courage to stand, some of the most significant battles are won with a more subtle and less charismatic form of courage.

Due to the unglamorous nature of this topic, this is not an easy concept to illustrate. The bottom line is that too many people don’t understand what it means to have the courage to run. However, I think this story illustrates my point well. This is an excerpt from a discourse given during the October 2012 LDS General Conference:

Some years ago, John was accepted at a prestigious Japanese university. He would be part of the international student program with many other top students from around the world. Some enrolled with a hope to deepen their understanding of the culture and language, others viewed it as a stepping-stone to an eventual profession and employment in Japan, but all had left home to study in a foreign country.

Soon after John’s arrival, word of a party to be held on the rooftop of a private residence spread among the foreign student population. That evening, John and two friends made their way to the advertised address.

Following an elevator ride to the top floor of the building, John and his friends navigated the single narrow stairway leading to the rooftop and began mingling with the others. As the night wore on, the atmosphere changed. The noise, music volume, and alcohol amplified, as did John’s uneasiness. Then suddenly someone began organizing the students into a large circle with the intent of sharing marijuana cigarettes. John grimaced and quickly informed his two friends that it was time to leave. Almost in ridicule, one of them replied, “John, this is easy—we’ll just stand in the circle, and when it is our turn, we’ll just pass it along rather than smoke it. That way we won’t have to embarrass ourselves in front of everyone by leaving.” This sounded easy to John, but it did not sound right. He knew he had to announce his intention and act. In a moment he mustered his courage and told them that they could do as they wished, but he was leaving. One friend decided to stay and joined the circle; the other reluctantly followed John down the stairs to board the elevator. Much to their surprise, when the elevator doors opened, Japanese police officers poured out and hurried to ascend the stairs to the rooftop. John and his friend boarded the elevator and departed.

When the police appeared at the top of the stairs, the students quickly threw the illegal drugs off the roof so they wouldn't be caught. After securing the stairway, however, the officers lined up everyone on the roof and asked each student to extend both hands. The officers then walked down the line, carefully smelling each student’s thumbs and index fingers. All who had held the marijuana, whether they had smoked it or not, were presumed guilty, and there were huge consequences. Almost without exception, the students who had remained on the rooftop were expelled from their respective universities, and those convicted of a crime were likely deported from Japan. Dreams of an education, years of preparation, and the possibility of future employment in Japan were dashed in a moment.

Heroes who have the courage to stand are generally praised and applauded. In contrast, heroes with the courage to run face ridicule and embarrassment. Often, that ridicule will originate from the people you thought you could trust, leaving you with feelings of abandonment and solitude. That is why it is so difficult to develop the courage to run. On top of feeling alone, the very people that should be your allies will jeer, criticize, and mock you. Regardless of their reactions, keep going. Don’t look back. While you may feel immense loneliness for a time, your example will eventually inspire others to follow.

Obviously, there are moments where running is a totally inappropriate response when facing your villains. You will have to courageously stand up to bullies and stand up for victims from time to time. You cannot run from problems that demand your attention. However, do not underestimate the wisdom in running as well. It will often be difficult to know if is appropriate to run or stand. But as you practice courage and do what you know is right, it will become easier with each new villain.

 As you confront new villains and enter foreign battlefields, may I suggest a few scenarios where you can apply this advice?

1)      Run from culturally popular crusades that only appeal to emotion and not reason.

It seems that everyone must have a compelling cause to join. People are too often driven to seek a gaudy sense of purpose and desire to bring about change or rectify some wrong. I candidly acknowledge that there are some serious societal problems that plague humanity. Some of them must be addressed too. However, there are some battles that just aren't necessary and even distract from more serious problems that are ignored way too often.

2)      Run from friendships that do not respect your values.

There are millions of decent human beings that are worth befriending. Why waste your time on those that put you down or demonize you? I am not suggesting you befriend people who share all the same opinions, beliefs, and interests as you. On the contrary, you will need friends that can talk you out of some stupid things. However, choose friends that will build you up and hold you to high standards.

3)      Run from situations that will compromise your integrity and principles.

Our natural curiosity motivates us to do some pretty awesome things! A lot of creativity and innovation stem from that curiosity. However, it can lead us to some situations that cause us to push the moral boundaries we set for ourselves. Do not gamble with your integrity or principles for a brief moment of self-gratification or cursory indulgence. Lives can be permanently damaged in seconds, and the consequences can last a life time.

4)      Run from relationships that are abusive in any form.

While there are millions of wonderful people, there sadly exist hundreds of mean spirited and ill-behaved people as well. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can save or change somebody. If a person abuses you emotionally or physically, you owe that person nothing. Run from them. There are no courageous qualities for taking the abuse day after day. You deserve to be treated as a valuable human being.

5)      Run from degenerate media.

Technology offers some significant benefits that promise us the highest standards of living. However, it can do immeasurable damage to people who choose not to filter out degenerate and degrading material. Do not bog yourself down in the mire of pornographic filth. Don’t immerse yourself in pointless angry banter that attacks others and shuts down debate. There are a myriad of things to do with technology. You literally have more at your fingertips than any prior generation. Use it for worthwhile things.

I hope you develop the courage to confront your villains when required, and run from them when necessary. Have the courage to stand alone and run alone. Each challenge you face will be new and unique.  But regardless of the enemy or the situation, courage will enable you to overcome any challenge, win any battle, and survive every struggle.