The distinction between cowardice and bravery runs through every human heart, challenging individuals to sacrifice for the future.

This idea, reminiscent of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s insights, is relevant in today’s communities, where families battle economic hardships, domestic struggles and fear of public scrutiny. It feels like there is little fight left for the world closing in on you. You hope the leaders you elected will pick up the battle. Nonetheless, life becomes more difficult.

In this increasingly complex world, the essence of bravery has been diluted, often mistaken for mere posturing. True courage is not found in the echo chambers of social media. It is located in the quiet determination of families working tirelessly to provide for the future. It is in the resilience of those who stand firm in their principles and beliefs despite being battered by unrelenting criticism.

Our leaders have forsaken the mantle of bravery for the comfort of political expediency. The courage to make tough decisions, to stand against the prevailing winds of their party or public opinion, is a rarity today. Bravery in leadership is not just about making decisions; it’s about making the right decisions.

The bravery we need today is not the loud, boastful kind that seeks validation. It is the unyielding bravery of conviction, the bravery to stand for what is right, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable, to speak the truth.

This bravery runs through every human heart, the kind that can truly change the world. It’s a bravery that doesn’t belong to the annals of history or the pages of literature but is urgently needed in our homes, communities, and halls of power today.

Elizabeth Hanke