Now is the Time for Bravery
“The only real progress lies in learning to be wrong all alone,” is one of those quotes I have always loved. Albert Camus, a French author and Nobel laureate, was the author of this insight.
I must admit that I have never thought of myself as a brave person. I fear telling my boss what I think. I played in the US Army Field Band during the Viet Nam war. I am absolutely petrified when it comes to failure. Even police cars make me sweat a little.
But, now is not the time to let fear push us into the corner. “Courage is knowing what not to fear.” – Plato.
We have to learn to not allow others to take advantage of the meek, mild or under-advantaged. We need to stand with a clenched fist against those “to big to fail.” We need to tell our politicians that we are tired of their placating the rich, bowing to the powerful and selling the average person out.
It is time to plan aggressively for your own future, too. Do the impossible. Create the improbable. The only person who can stop you is yourself.
“Optimism is the foundation of courage.” -Nicholas Murray Butler
I have owned a business that went belly up, developed a market promotion and only two people showed up, even been an actor in a play where EVERYONE forgot their lines (Chekhov can do that to a cast). I am alive and moving forward despite the set backs, no thanks to my bravery but maybe my ignorance. Sometimes ignorance can be a great teacher. The one thing it has taught me is not to be afraid of fear. Edward Weeks, former editor of the Atlantic Monthly said, “To live with fear and not be afraid is the final test of maturity.”
Well I guess at 63, it’s about time for me.
Be brave in your thoughts, words and deeds. You only have one life and believe me it goes by fast. Last year I decided to go aggressive with my 401K in the midst of the down turn. I made 44% in that account, not because I was smart.
“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” -Dorothy Bernard
