Step Up on Second Writers' Anthology

Courage
By Ian Hrachovec

Modern life looks so easy with all its conveniences, tools, and opportunities. We are, it seems, in the driver’s seat of our own destiny.

Life used to look that way to me, with little to complain about and a heavenly song of hope.

And then, mental illness struck. Clawing through it, overcoming it, life became a daily struggle.

In the effort to prevail, courage is necessary and character is born. New skills are needed and learned. My new skills are like those of a mountaineer, only mine are used just to take care of myself and have a good day.

Now the world is a different place, with these hiking boots on. The life I once lived has become enriched—innocence and naiviety are replaced with touches of new aptitude and ability.

Through courage come victoriy. Sometimes victory simply means starting the day on a note of optimism or the ability to face things with stillness and calm. For me victory is a hushed, quiet moment peering outward as try to branch out into new activities and??? It means I am etting stronger and more capable, regaining the courage some of whatI lost to illness over ten years ago.

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