Feb/Mar 2021 – courage is contagious

Welcome to a new year and new decade, Buddies. My theme like the mag’s is Courage is contagious. “Courage is grace under pressure.” Napoleon, that historic leader who was short with a big attitude and a family history of stomach cancer, said “Courage isn’t having the strength to go on, but it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” 

Does that not epitomise all our cancer patients, particularly those that have gone through chemo during a pandemic? We salute you! 

That five letter word: COVID. It has changed so much in our lives including how we exercise (read The effects COVID has on exercise), and no new year should start without a healthy self-love reboot which includes exercise.

The new year is about understanding that it’s okay to start over. It’s okay to rebuild. 

It’s okay to be scared. Remember, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is that quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow’.” 

On that note, especially in these times, read The importance of a good cry. “You have within you right now, everything to deal with whatever the world can throw at you.”

Remember, you are a hero. “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

To those frontline workers, particularly those managing our patients: “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid; courage means you don’t let fear stop you.”

Your Buddie For Life
Prof Carol-Ann Benn

Photos: Studio Images Photography | Facebook: @studioimagesphoto

Location: Walter Sisula National Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort | sanbi.org

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