The Power of... BOLDNESS
| "The way of the superior person is threefold:
virtuous, they are free from anxieties;
wise they are free from complexities;
and bold they are free from fear."
-- Confucius
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BOLDNESS. Are you hiding out waiting for life to happen? Do you let fear or doubt hold you back? What bold moves will you make this year to live authentically?
I just found out that my Mom's cousin, Juanita Jeanette Lindsey died in Harlem at the age of 71. On the surface, Jeanette appeared to live an ordinary life, yet her everyday boldness made her extraordinary. Although she didn't go to college, she was determined to be somebody. After holding various jobs in the '50s and '60s, she ventured into learning computers when mainframes came into use. Over her many years of working for New York City, she became a leader in her union and amassed savings in the seven figures. Despite being heavy-set, she had very healthy self-esteem. She even studied modeling under Madame Ophelia DeVore, another lion-hearted woman. If Jeanette decided to do something, she wouldn't make excuses - she would simply do it. For example, if she wanted to see a play and didn't have someone to go with her, she would go by herself. She didn't wait for others in order to live her life.
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Jeanette's spirit is a reminder for all of us to be bold. I'm not talking about being boastful or banking on your "big break." I'm talking about being able to consistently step out with faith and confidence in your Purpose – to live a specific life that represents the essence of who you really are. Boldness starts off in the seemingly "little" decisions we make everyday and snowballs into a spirit of greatness. It's bold to be an entrepreneur, an educator, or a loving parent. Whatever you choose to be; be that fully. Being bold can be scary and fun, difficult and liberating, ordinary and then extraordinary!
A couple of months ago, my sister and I spent time in China. I've been traveling the globe since I was six weeks old, so going to Asia wasn't bold. Our boldness reared its head in our tendency to take the unbeaten, non-tourist path. We ended up in places where there were no foreigners – the outskirts of the Forbidden City that was truly forbidden; the underground mall that was literally under the ground! We rode the subway and walked the back streets. We saw historical sites, but again in unusual ways, such as venturing to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall instead of the popular Badaling site. China was the first place I've ever visited where I didn't know any bit of the language – and didn’t have the tools to really figure it out! It took me out of my norm and into a world of adventure. We met other Americans doing uncommon things - a jazz musician from Brooklyn playing and living in Shanghai; a business man from a little town in Colorado who built his life around helping other small Asian companies succeed; and two amazing women from San Francisco who founded the first yoga studio in Beijing. The experience was inspiring and invigorating. I returned with renewed energy for my business and for life in general.
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"Boldness starts
off in the seemingly
"little" decisions we
make everyday
and snowballs
into a spirit of
greatness."
-- Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy
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I was inspired into boldness through my parents – both pioneers in international communications. When I graduated from college, my cousin Lloyd asked me if I was afraid of becoming the youngest on the staff at the Harvard Business School. I answered, "No, I learned from my mother. She's not afraid of anything!" That was the impression she made on me. If I had asked her, Mom may have had trepidation about various things, but it was her very spirit of boldness that encouraged me to be fearless. This year, I invite you to join me in being divinely bold, motivating others to do the same. Be a model of courage and commitment. It starts with your everyday decisions.
- To resolve to be healthy for yourself and your family, and remove the junk food in your cabinets.
- To meet with that business prospect with a draft of the deal in hand.
- To call that special friend for dinner and tell him/her how you feel.
- To learn a new language and then use it in its native land.
We all know that tomorrow is not promised. Do the things in your heart today – don't wait. Be prepared for greatness, remembering that faith is belief plus action. Don't take the easy way out. Choose what you feel you have to do to live authentically. Make a statement with your life. As Goethe said, "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. Begin it now!"
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How are
YOU
going
to be
bold
this year?
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Make a Life List. Write down all of the things you want to accomplish in your life.
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Decide what you will accomplish this year. Then, decide what you will accomplish in the next 3 months.
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Prepare yourself. Do whatever you need to do to be ready to live your dream. If you want to run a marathon, then start training today. If you want to launch a business, then start saving today.
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Go for it! Take the first step... and then the next, and the next. Greatness is built over time!
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Today, I live with boldness.
I do not let fear or doubt hold me back. I live a life of adventure and not regret. I step out in faith, taking action to achieve my vision. Whatever I do, I do it fully.
Today, I live with boldness.
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Listen to the Affirmation:
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Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy is President of Power Living Enterprises, Inc. and Founder of PWR Brokers Incorporated. A former vice president at MTV Networks, she has a Ph.D. in World Religions, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and certifications in Holistic Health, Yoga and Fitness. Contact her at info@power-living.com, or 212-901-6913.
Power Living® Column Vol. 57.07, originally published January 2007. Terri Kennedy has written over 70 "The Power of..." columns that are available for syndication. Call 212-901-6913 for more information.
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Read other The Power of... columns. If you need help in taking action, explore our one-on-one coaching or one of our other programs. Feel free to email coaching@power-living.com with any questions, or call us at 212.901.6913. You can also read Dr. Kennedy's quotes from various "The Power of..." columns, writings and talks.
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