Today I saw courage

I did. And I would like to take a moment to recognize it.

There was physical courage: Because tens of thousands of people ran the Amsterdam Marathon. At the 35th kilometer, the body screams to stop—but the spirit prevails. I saw runners hit the wall, face their inner demons, and instead of giving up, they reached out a helping hand to each other. I saw people who have trained over the past months, pushing past their limits, not for glory, but for growth.

There was moral courage: Because thousands of people took to the streets in the USA for the No Kings protest. It is not what the protests were against, what the protests were against, but what they were for. For dignity. For justice. For the rule of law. They chose principle over comfort, integrity over silence in a difficult time of 'post truth' and uncertainty.

There was social courage: Despite a fragile ceasefire, humanitarian workers in Gaza are doing all they can to distribute food and alleviate famine. They are armed only with compassion and audacity to care when it’s dangerous to do so. Every meal delivered, every child comforted, is a stand against despair.

There was emotional courage: A friend of mine speaking openly about the challenges they face in their life and admitting they do not know the way out. To say “I’m not okay” is one of the bravest things a person can do. Showing vulnerability is so precious and unfortunately still so rare.

And financial courage: I witness people acting courageously with the wealth or assets entrusted to them. Through philanthropic giving or investing it in a way that contributes to social and environmental outcomes, like regenerative farming to improve soil health. Investing is not a zero some game, value can be created in more than one dimension at a time.

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it runs. Sometimes, it protests. Sometimes, it feeds. Sometimes, it asks for help. And sometimes, it invests in the future.

And yes, there is space for more courage to be manifested. By me, by you. Every day.