Some have asked why I write under the name “Not Fainthearted.” Like all nom de plumes there is some meaning behind the one you choose. Afterall, you may not get to choose the name the world calls you, but the name you choose to write under can say something about who you are, or who you wish you were.
I started writing this blog when I was in the beginning stages of my divorce. I was a mess most of the time and in conversations with friends (and my therapist) realized that to get through it, I needed to have courage. To not be faint hearted. Not be a chicken-shit. Put on your big girl panties and do what needs to be done.
Not Fainthearted is a more poetic version of all that. One I thought was pretty rare, but like all things you think are rare, you start seeing it more often as soon as you focus on it. Try being pregnant. Everywhere you’ll look there’ll be pregnant people. Or just after a bad break-up it seems the whole world is coupled.
I like this poem especially because it puts a bit of a spiritual or theological spin on the phrase; which if you’ve spent more than three minutes reading here, you’ll realize that that is an important part of how I make my way in the world. It’s certainly not the only poem that recommends courage as a way to be on our life journeys. Maybe I’ll collect some of the others here too.
German Sayings on Life and Death
Loenhard Lechner (c. 1553-1606)
All things on earth
struggle constantly
with the perils of the Fall,
Back and forth they waiver.
Sun, moon, stars
endure too the elements
and the seasons’
inconstancies.
We men and women on our journey
are but poor waifs,
uncertain with cares
of where tomorrow will lead us.
Of good cheer, vigour and might,
of good health, beauty and splendour:
tomorrow consumed,
dead and deceased.
In God’s hands
come all things to their end:
let us yet be patient
and wait with our sins.
Think verily,
ever to prepare thyself
for the treacherous world,
in which nothing is constant.
When Fortune smiles upon thee
and triumph approaches,
build not thy hopes theron
nor place upon her too much trust.
When the sufferings
of misfortune overcome thee,
be not faint-hearted,
ill-humoured, nor unkind.
That which now
hinders our path
can vanish
in the next moment.
Since this vessel of the world
goes forth so unsteadily,
so let us then think
how best a course to steer.
We would turn
towards the Lord our God,
and let ourselves be guided in all
things by God’s will.
Fear and love God
constantly carry out God’s word,
God will have pity
on us poor mortals.
God’s mercy and goodness
will protect us,
comfort and deliver us
from our sins.
God’s hand will save us
from all perils:
we live and die,
thwart not God’s will.
After this suffering
God shall surely grant us
eternal happiness.
Then shall we be blessed.
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
