“Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.” Harriet Tubman
No one knows if Harriet Tubman really uttered these words, but there isn’t any question that she lived them. Harriet was born into slavery and raised in a world with no hope. Still, she dreamed her dreams and did what she had to do. She broke the law of the land by following the North Star to freedom. Where did a woman who was whipped as a child get that kind of courage?
Harriet had a deep and abiding faith that she was being guided. She was steadfast in her conviction that all she had to do was keep going and God would take care of the details. She shepherded over 70 slaves to freedom. If any of her fugitive charges became faint-hearted and wanted to turn around, she threatened to shoot them. Turning back could mean death to them all. She gave them no choice but to keep going.
I too have been known to buckle and want to backtrack. Somehow the pain of the mundane seems safer than pioneering into new territory. The only way I’m able to move past that kind of paralyzation is to borrow some of Miss Harriet’s grit. She always remembered to ask for direction and then listen for the answer. The way was always made clear. What stands between me and that kind of guidance? Remembering to ask. 
Harriet’s life has been a beacon to many. In Hillary Clinton’s 2008 speech for the Democratic convention, she shared my admiration.
There are many books written about this remarkable woman’s life. One of my favorites is Courage to Run by my friend, Wendy Lawton.
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Text and images © Sue Shanahan. All rights reserved. www.sueshanahan.com
Commonplace Grace 
I have tears in my eyes – so moving. I am reminded to ask for directions.
Thanks,
Elephant
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I am guilty of forgetting to ask too. I drew that illustration to remind myself!
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Thanks to point me to this story, honestly I have to say I did not know her. We all need to dream our dreams, I’ll try to remember it. Grazie.
robert
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I think I must write my posts for myself. There is much about Harriet that I try to emulate.
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Thanks for the beautiful post. It is great to be reminded of courageous women like Harriet Tubman who sacrificed much to make life better for others.
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From what I’ve read about her she leaned deeply on her faith. I imagine if I had one iota of the trust she had in her God, nothing could stop me.
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Reblogged this on Black Homeschool Mom and commented:
Here is a wonderful blog by Sue Shanahan encouraging us to use Harriet Tubman’s model as motivation to keep going when times are rough.
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Thank you for the repost. Since writing the post about Harriet Tubman I’m learning how many people don’t even know who she is. She has been a beacon of light to me and I’m happy to give her more recognition.
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Of all the courageous girls I’ve written about over the years, none has touched me as deeply as Harriet Tubman. Her life was lived for others even to the day she died. In her last years she used to take food and vegetables around to the hungry and at the end of her life she left her property and worldly possessions to her church– to be used for the poor and needy. How I wish I were more like her. Thanks, Sue, for reminding us.
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I feel the same way you do about Harriet, Wendy.
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The power to dream, the will to survive, the motivation and persistence to keep going. I will never forget the legacy Miss Harriet leaves to black girls like me 🙂
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She was something wasn’t she? When I become fainthearted her words, “Keep Going” help spur me on.
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Harriet has always spired me. Thanks for a great article.
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Inspired.
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We can all learn a thing or two from Miss Harriet.
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