About a year ago we went to Coney Island. There was the Wonder Wheel, of course. Beautiful. Lots of lights and history and walking. But the magic didn’t go very deep, until I saw it — this sign. Courage. It was something. Worn, for sure. But then isn’t all of our courage? Tattered. Scribbled. Red. Just as if it had been written on my heart.

I always write things down. Always have. Since I could write. Age 5. It helps me recognize my own feelings. Understand them. Learn from them, and maybe, by some small chance, humbly, help you do the same. I think it’s easier when you can see them. Give them shape. So about 9 years ago, when I was in a moment that I really needed that courage, needed to make a decision that was going to be hard, but oh, so necessary, I gave myself the words. The strength, with each letter.

“Be brave. I thought maybe if I wrote the words down, read them every day, traced them with my fingers…I could live them. I could let go of this “maybe” life and be brave enough to say yes…brave enough to say no. And then, in all the uncertainty around me, I could be certain of this, that I was brave enough to love, to laugh, to cry…to be me…that I was brave enough to really live.”

Today I give you (and myself) the words. Read them. Trace them. Wear your tattered courage. It is bigger than any other wonder. And it is so very beautiful!