The Importance of Being Scared

No one realises the value of a coward. A coward is the person who breaks down first. He is the first to relent in a battle of wills kind of situation. Just when you think that you are going to have to give in in, say, a group situation, a coward in teh group gives up before you have to. The second most heroic person might curse the hero who steals the limelight, but an almost complete coward will silently bless the coward.

Perception about whats brave and whats not has also changed. Stepping out and being the odd one out also takes a lot of courage unless you are a fool who doesnt care. The most common example that comes to mind is ragging. Its a tradition they say. Telling on the perpetrators is a strict no-no they say. In face of such opposition, telling on them, and standing up for whats right becomes the brave thing to do. Our country of course has had a dubious history for parading preposterous rituals in the name of tradition, so dont ever fall for that excuse.

Doing the brave thing, unless you happen to be a saint, is always a little hard, and thats how you know youve made the right choice.