Courage and Faith

This is something I've been meaning to do for a long time [speak in chapel]. It's kind of scary, kind of nerve wracking, but somehow I’ve managed to find the motivation to do it. On the last Saturday chapel of the year I wanted to say a little something about two qualities I admire. Courage and Faith.

Not necessarily the courage to slay a live dragon, nor the faith that there is some divine being pulling all the strings, but a humble kind, something most people keep to themselves. I believe that courage is one of the most important things a human can possess, especially at a point in our lives when we decide who we want to be. It is shown by so many already, by performing in chapel, in a recital, on a sports field, or even in the classroom (It’s hard to snazzy-ify your sentences!).

This time of year, there are so many things to be scared of, and it's hard to face your fears. But for the rest of your existence, I extend a small piece of advice: have courage to take the risk: stand up to someone intimidating, be it for yourself or someone else, try something new, even if you think it is too late (it's not). Do something good even if you won’t be recognized for it, and praise others for their achievements.

I wanted to address Faith too, because courage is a lot easier to have if you can find some faith: in yourself and in people around you. You've already invested faith in your teachers to teach you everything you need to know, and in your friends to have your back in the best of times and the worst of times. Try having faith that if you have the courage to take a risk, you will come out a better person. If you try and succeed, Yes! If you try and fail, you need to have faith that you'll be okay, and that there will always be someone behind you with the courage to hold you up even when you can’t.

As we end the school year, have the faith that you're prepared for your exams, and that even if you don’t get 97%, you'll start anew in a few months. If you’re returning, have the courage to start with a bang and support others in the endeavour to make a home here. If you’re not, have the courage to thrive in your new environments and faith that the long days and nights here have prepared you for life outside of these gates.

Spend the summer taking intelligent risks and basking in the glow of the sun. Remember that every day is fresh, and despite any mistakes or missteps you may have made; there is always room to go up. Make the person you want to be someone who has faith in their ideas and the courage to follow through.

Thank you—SJR, Grade 11, Strathcona