"Later, you learn courage in different situations; the first time onstage, when you wish you had never agreed to do it, you curse your pretensions and lament your ego, and want only to go back into the corner. But somehow you don't; you step out. . . . Each step is fearful, yet each refusal means not only remorse at an opportunity missed, but, worse, despising yourself for not even summoning up the courage to try.

Sometimes I marveled at the way I did indeed step forward, but more often I was always aware of the constant struggle to make the choice to do so. For it is a choice. The alternative option always beckons and does so adorned with good arguments: it's not a propitious moment; it is a risk too far; others are against it; there will always be another moment. Often there isn't, however, and in any event, deep down you know the reason: the fear of being out there, exposed, prone to fail. If you never try to succeed, you will never have to fail. So why do it?"


This blog follows the daily ups, downs and choices of a transplanted English teacher living in Indiana.

If you're very lucky, you may avoid the grammar lesson.