“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” — Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa: The Courage to Serve the Forgotten

When we think of courage, we often imagine heroic feats on a battlefield or standing up to powerful adversaries. But courage can also look like a humble woman walking into the most impoverished corners of the world, armed with nothing but faith and love. That is the story of Mother Teresa – an embodiment of quiet, relentless bravery.

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” — Mother Teresa

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The Call to Step into the Unknown

Born in 1910 as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in modern-day North Macedonia, Mother Teresa lived a comfortable life as a teacher in a convent. But at the age of 36, she heard what she described as a “call within a call” to leave the security of her convent and serve “the poorest of the poor.”

This was no small decision. It meant stepping into the slums of Kolkata with no financial support, no community, and no guarantee of success. She was venturing into the unknown – a leap of faith that only the most courageous could take.

“God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try.” — Mother Teresa

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A Life of Fearless Compassion

Mother Teresa’s courage is in her unwavering actions:

• Caring for the Untouchables: In a society where lepers, AIDS patients, and the dying were often cast out, she held their hands, cleaned their wounds, and gave them dignity in their final moments.
• War Zone Rescues: In 1982, during the Siege of Beirut, she brokered a ceasefire to rescue 37 children trapped in a hospital. Walking through active conflict zones, she exemplified bravery few could imagine.
• Global Advocacy: Despite her small stature and soft voice, she challenged world leaders and institutions to prioritize the marginalized. Her presence demanded attention to the plight of the forgotten.

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” — Mother Teresa

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What Can We Learn from Mother Teresa’s Courage?

1. Courage comes in quiet acts
   • You don’t need to stand on a podium to change the world. Sometimes, simply showing up for someone in need is the bravest thing you can do.
2. Faith in action
   • She believed deeply in the power of love to transform lives. Whether you share her religious convictions or not, her actions remind us that belief whether in a higher power, a cause, or yourself fuels courage.
3. Start with what you have
   • Mother Teresa began her mission with nothing but a heart full of love. Her journey proves that you don’t need wealth or power to make a difference; you just need to start.

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. — Mother Teresa

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Be the Light in Someone Else’s Darkness

Mother Teresa once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Her legacy is a powerful reminder that courage isn’t about the size of the act; it’s about the size of the heart behind it.

So, what’s your “call within a call”? How can you bring courage into your everyday life? Whether it’s helping a neighbor, standing up for a cause, or simply offering kindness to someone in need, remember that every act of courage – big or small – matters.

Let’s take a moment to honor the quiet bravery of women like Mother Teresa and be inspired to spread light in the darkest corners of the world.

“We must know that we have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in the world, not just to go for diplomas and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created in order to love and to be loved.” — Mother Teresa

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