Courage

We live in strange times with people fearful of all sorts of things ranging from a virus and the weather to hurtful words and ideas. This is a big problem, because if we let ourselves be influenced by this, we'll end up unable to live properly. We'll spend our lives hunkered down in our basements, petrified of life. But if we stand up and rebel against this nonsense, we'll soon find ourselves in trouble, so what are we to do?

The answer to this riddle lies in some ancient insights related to courage. There's a big distinction between fear of something and a mere desire to avoid what is feared. This is a central theme in Norse mythology because the gods know that they are doomed. There will come a day when the forces of evil will overwhelm their ability to contain them, and they will have to go out an fight in the open. However, this doesn't lead to the gods encouraging this to happen sooner rather than later, nor does it lead to a state of perpetual fear. Rather, the gods spend their days preparing for the inevitable while having as much fun as possible. They keep a watchful eye on the evils in the world, and they strike in ambush whenever opportunity comes their way.

Seen in this perspective, courage is a mode of behaviour that seeks to expand freedom and happiness in the face of real dangers and opposition. Courage is intelligent. It doesn't call for violent opposition to every ill in the world. Rather, it calls for a watchful eye and an instinct for opportunity. Those who live this way will enjoy life, and they will be rewarded with an afterlife with the gods in Valhalla. However, those who succumb to fear will spend their lives in misery, and their afterlife will be spent in Hellheim, a dark an dreary place. Making things worse for those lacking in courage is the inevitable final battle between good and evil. The fearful are doomed to side with darkness. There's no joy and no hope for those living in fear.

From this we can draw a set of conclusions related to the latest wave of darkness, pushed by politicians and journalists alike:

1. We must be intelligent about what's going on. We mustn't succumb to the irrational fear that is so central to their agenda.
2. We must know our place in the world and find intelligent ways to manage our fears.
3. We must push back against evil at every opportunity. Weakness on their side is to be taken advantage of.
4. We must pursue happiness in our lives for our own good and the good of everybody else.

Done correctly, we'll find plenty of opportunities to make a stir without taking damage ourselves. We'll have some fun, and we might even make a profit and a name for ourselves. We too can be with the gods in Valhalla. All it takes is a bit of courage.

Valhalla

By Max Brückner (1836-1919) - [1], Public Domain, Link