Why We Rise – The Courage Behind Showing Up Every Day
- Dec 1, 2025
- 5 min read
Written by Martha Maria Smith, Bilingual Coach
Martie Smith's journey as a Resilience Ambassador began in Colombia and highlights her steadfast strength and adaptability, from her service in the US Air Force to becoming a Radiation Therapist and a certified personal trainer at 62. An internationally acclaimed author and Poet Laureate, she mentors young individuals and shares her expertise.
Every morning, before our feet even touch the floor, life presents us with a sacred question, "Will we rise, or will we retreat?" That single choice may seem like a routine action, but hidden beneath it is a universe of emotions, responsibilities, dreams, and unspoken commitments that keep us moving forward. Whether a person gets up to go to work, sit in a classroom, raise a child, fight a private battle, or simply try once more to make it through the day, they are choosing courage. Some define it as responsibility. Others call it survival. I call it purpose, purpose that doesn’t always shout or sparkle but remains steady, rooted deeply within us, reminding us that every new morning brings possibility.
We often think motivation is supposed to look bold and energized, like an adrenaline rush pushing us forward with excitement and clarity. But the truth is, motivation is sometimes quiet, simple, and soft. It doesn’t always wake us with a lightning bolt of inspiration. In fact, many mornings, motivation feels like the whisper that says, “Just try again.” It may come from a place of love, duty, hope, or even stubborn faith. People rise because they believe that somehow, someway, their effort matters. They rise because something, no matter how fragile, still feels worth fighting for. Getting up is not a sign of ease, it’s a sign of resilience. Even when tired, even when hurting, even when fear knocks first, we rise because the alternative, to give up, betrays the dreams we still hold.
Love is one of the greatest motivators that exists. We love our families, our futures, our chance to grow and provide and protect. We love the idea that our presence can be the reason someone smiles, succeeds, or feels safe. Love turns ordinary mornings into meaningful missions. A parent gets up because breakfast must be made and hearts must be nurtured. A caregiver rises because someone depends on their compassion, their patience, and their presence. A student wakes up because that degree carries a promise, a better life, a wider horizon, a dream waiting to be fulfilled. Even those who live alone rise because they love who they are becoming and believe in the person God designed them to be. Love expands our bravery. It pushes us beyond what we think we can endure, and it reminds us that we are connected to something greater than the challenges we face.
Purpose is another powerful force that pulls us forward. Purpose doesn’t always feel glamorous or perfectly defined. Sometimes purpose looks like heading to a job that isn’t your final “destination” but serves as a stepping stone. It may mean waking up tired because you studied late to create a better future. It can be the quiet determination to heal from a heartbreak, rebuild after a loss, shift your identity, or rediscover who you are beneath the expectations of others. Purpose whispers, “You were made for more than this moment.” It calls us forward, even when the path isn’t clear. It reminds us that growth is not about speed, it’s about direction.
Hope also gives us the strength to rise. Every sunrise testifies that no mistake is final, no heartbreak is permanent, and no storm lasts forever. On the hardest mornings, hope might be a tiny spark we guard carefully, but even a spark can ignite a new beginning. Hope doesn’t demand that we solve everything today. It simply asks us to believe that something good can still happen. We rise because we know deep down that the story is not over. We rise because we trust that healing is underway, opportunities are preparing to reveal themselves, and answers are making their way toward us.
We rise because we are still becoming. We are a work in progress, learning how to turn obstacles into wisdom and pain into power. The version of us today is shaping the stronger version we will be tomorrow. Growth doesn’t always feel like progress. Sometimes it feels like confusion, frustration, or fatigue. It looks like taking a step forward, even while doubting yourself. It looks like holding your heart together with faith because God is still writing your story. Every time we rise again, we declare, “My story isn’t over yet.” And that declaration shifts the atmosphere.
Not every morning is a triumph that looks picture-perfect. Not every sunrise arrives with clarity or motivation. But even on the days when discipline is the only thing pulling us out of bed, showing up remains a victory worth celebrating. Consistency is courage. Trying is a strength. The person who rises again after disappointment is unstoppable, even if they don’t feel like it. You don’t need applause or fireworks to prove progress. The quiet act of showing up is already proof of your resilience. Showing up means you refuse to surrender what still matters.
The world needs you to rise because your presence changes things. Your voice can comfort. Your creativity can inspire. Your leadership can build bridges. Your story can save someone who thinks they’re alone. Your healing can widen the road for those walking behind you. We rise because the gift inside us is bigger than the fear that tries to silence it. The world still needs the light you carry, the words you speak, the love you give, and the passion that fuels your purpose.
Take this with you:
Showing up today is a victory your fear didn’t want you to win.
The world shifts every time you refuse to quit.
You rise not because life is easy but because you are powerful beyond what you know.
What is one reason you will rise again tomorrow?
Remember this: You are still here, and that means possibility is too.
Read more from Martha Maria Smith
Martha Maria Smith, Bilingual Coach
Martie Smith's journey as a Resilience Ambassador began in Colombia and highlights her unwavering strength and adaptability. She exemplifies resilience from her service in the US Air Force to become a Radiation Therapist and certified personal trainer at 62. As an internationally acclaimed author and poet, Martie mentors young individuals, sharing her expertise and spreading messages of hope and resilience globally as a captivating speaker.
