What does it take?

There has been too much news about revolt everywhere in recent times. The on-going crisis in the Middle East, the rebellion in Libya, etc, with an astounding number of people joining in to do or die has me thinking, what does it take to make one do the extreme?

Like any proud citizen, I have always been awed by the history of our country’s struggle for independence and success. Those brave people like Bhagath Singh, Azaad, Veer Savarkar, Gandhi ji, and so many others, never cease to amaze me. A trip to any historical place with significance to the Struggle, like the Cellular Jail in Andaman or Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, always gives me chills.

I have always wondered - if I were born in those times, would I be as brave as those great people to not just voice my opinion, but do something for what I believed in? Or would I be among those who chose to stay behind closed doors and let the others do it for me? If I say I am among the former, am I unrealistic (they were not, and they proved it)? If I am among the latter, am I a selfish whimp (they got what they wanted)?

This is true for all situations in life. There is always a swordfight between beliefs and self-preservation. There is a voice of caution in the head, which screams “NO!” whenever you try to go beyond. This voice calls for self protection. But Anna Hazare’s call against anti-corruption has again got me thinking. Anna calls for people’s support. But, he is capable of fighting alone. He is a brave man and with principles of the bye-gone era. “He is made from a different soil,” a person says. He is motivated internally. He sees things clearly and has clearly stated how he wants to go about it. I am glad to cry out slogans to support him watching him on the TV or reading about him on the internet in the privacy of my house, but would I go there and sit with him to support him while he protests?

These above incidents are only a few examples. What does it take to motivate someone like that? I can list a few factors – a rush of adrenaline, pure fearlessness, passion towards a cause, a greater motive, selflessness, frustration, or crossing the threshold of tolerance and just saying I can’t take it anymore.

It is easier to laugh and joke about small things in life and not let the bigger things worry us. Does the saying “take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves” apply here? Is it escapism if we think, “What’s the point? We are all going to die anyway”? What does it take to not be a coward, but courageous, for once?

It is always difficult to ask such questions to oneself, knowing what the answer is going to be. It is okay to be afraid and cautious. But what is unforgiveable is to make little of it. Courage is not the absence of fear, but overcoming the fear. We all at some point in life have tried to face our fear of heights, the dark, the stage, spiders, etc. So shouldn’t we at least try? What does it take?

" Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow'.” – Mary Anne Radmacher