Courage is not easy.

We live in a virtual, constructed “game” of life, that often feels as though any moment we will get mowed down by the proverbial oncoming train.

Yet, everyday we are faced with the risk of being pulped by the runaway train known as government. That great gargantuan Leviathan, intent only on controlling every aspect of our lives.

Life has become more one of gamesmanship than human interaction. Winner takes all as the omnipotent entities of money and identity have replaced the once trusted promise of a word or handshake. Add to this perversity, “safety” has become the guiding Rule of Life as to how we must exist in this world.

As our world faces the grim reality of more wars, that freight train looks ever more foreboding. But it is now more important than ever to step up, and not down. Let us not become mere victims, useful only as servants to those who seek to control us. We must learn to be heroes instead.

Joseph Campbell, in his book ‘The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” warned us of becoming victims to safetyism:

“Refusal of the summons converts the adventure into its negative. Walled in boredom, hard work, or “culture,” the subject loses the power of significant affirmative action and becomes a victim to be saved.”

Safety will not save any of us in the end. History will attest to that. Wars - endless wars - beget more power for the few and a plethora of more regulations and loss of liberty for the many.

We seek an exit, not from life itself, but from this constructed life. The one of rules, regulations and overzealous bureaucrats leading weak politicians. The life that is known as gamesmanship.

I, for one, do not want to be saved, let alone from a government gone rogue.

I prefer the life of humanship.