Be Brave, Be Vulnerable, Be Fierce

We’re well into the New Year now and I wonder how many of us have made resolutions that we’re either failed at or dropped altogether?  Because I am a driven personality, I always think along the lines of setting goals and only feeling satisfied when I’ve accomplished them.  That can be an exhilarating experience when I achieve success, but devastating when my goals are thwarted.  If I’m honest, I think sometimes I set goals that with commitment and effort, I know I can attain.  Like when I set the goal of completing a half marathon a few years back.  Yes, I did have to train for it, but I knew that if I stuck with it, I would own it … and I did.  But how about those dreams that live deep inside us that seem impossible to reach?  Dreams that yearn to become a reality, but ones that have no clear path to fruition?  I’ve been thinking along those lines lately, especially as 2014 is now here.  Again, while I can only speak for myself, I think some of the obstacles that stand in our way are a fear of putting ourselves out there to fail, perhaps not knowing the next step to take and even thinking that some dreams are so unrealistic it’s next to folly to pursue them.  These musings led me to some of the qualities that I think it takes to even start the journey into the unknown, ones that I applaud when I see them exhibited in others but that I’ve struggled with embracing for myself.  It seems to me that some people have no difficulty living their life openly passionate about their desires and convictions, letting the chips fall where they may, and having an easier time picking up the pieces when they fall and moving forward.  Can you think of someone like that?  My son is definitely someone who lives his life out loud, so to speak.  He has no problem expressing his views and doing whatever it takes to advance his goals … which in his case is to seek justice for those who are marginalized.  I suppose he does have moments of discouragement, but it never stops him from his relentless pursuit of being a voice for those who feel powerless.  It’s his way of trying to make this world a better and brighter place to live.  I see my two daughters also pursuing their goals and dreams … which many would argue has an unlikely probability of achieving.  My oldest daughter is teaching inner city kids in Memphis … every day instilling in those students that they are important, valued and can have a future bigger than what they live in at the present moment.  My youngest is pursing acting, knowing full well that it takes talent, training and persistence.  As a parent, I try to give them my support and a soft place to land when they hit a brick wall.  All of this leads me back to my resolutions for 2014.  Some goals require a certain bravery, vulnerability and fierceness … so I’ve challenged myself to develop those qualities this year and look for opportunities that will require me to utilize one or more of those characteristics, while pursuing goals that may seem folly to some and unattainable to others.  I figure we can all use a little less tentativeness and a lot more boldness.  Carpe Diem everyone, and Happy New Year!

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