Take the path that requires courage.

Take the path that requires courage.

On the eve of his 18th birthday, Hercules came to a crossroads and perched himself on a stump, brooding. Tomorrow, he would be released from the tedious task of tending to Apollo’s flock, and he hadn’t a clue as to what he should do with his life.

There, wallowing in the waves of uncertainty, two alternative paths approached him, presenting themselves in the form of the two female figures descending down the mountain from afar – floating as if they came from the heavens themselves.

When they reached Hercules, the first – whose beauty invited Hercules’ gaze – cut in front and introduced herself: “Hello Hercules,” she spoke, “my name is Kakia.” She pointed to the garden beside them and offered up an enticing proposition: “come with me,” she whispered, “and you will live a life of luxury. One free from struggle and strain, full of every want and whim without work.” For a boy who had known nothing but hard work, this was tempting.

Hercules turned his attention to Arete. Her beauty spoke to his spirit and her presence commanded his respect. Somber, she gestured at the mountain: “My path,” she warned, “will be anything but easy. There will be relentless rains and chasms to cross. Few places to rest. At every turn you will be tested, called on to find reservoirs of courage when your well is empty. But know this: the path of Arete (Virtue) offers something that Kakia’s (Vice) cannot. The gods have set a price on becoming the immortal hero you have it within you to be. And that price is my path.”

Lucky for the unborn millions he would inspire, Hercules choose the path required courage. Lucky for him, he did not die with the words: “here lies a man of great potential” on his gravestone.

And like Hercules, we all face the choice of which path to take. Will we succumb to the seductive allure of the easy life, content to live as if the goal is to arrive safely at death’s shores? Or will we dare to meet our end seared with scars – evidence that we gave it our all?

I hope, for eternity’s sake, you take the path that requires courage. Because not only will each courageous act stay with you forever, serving as a reminder of how strong you are when you’re feeling weak; it will stay, too, with the world, your example of strength rippling to the expanding edges of time, spinning threads of never-ending light, where they may one day be picked up by someone who needs it most.

So the next time you are wondering which direction to go, take the one that requires courage. Because courage compromises no soul.

Take the mountain less traveled and it will make all the difference. And you just might look back to find yourself the hero you once admired.

I can’t climb for you, but I will climb with you. See you at the summit.