(#189) Be Bold. Be Daring. Be Authentic.

Be the person you want to be
on the way to being the person you want to be!

The New Year always brings calls for new beginnings, resolutions, and renewal. At the risk of adding to the cliché catalogue of exhortations, I want to challenge you to think and act boldly in 2014.

Deepak Chopra reminds us that “inner happiness can become obscured by constricted awareness, limiting thought patterns, and emotional turmoil.” We can stymie ourselves if we constantly make happiness contingent upon external forces. We can dash our own dreams if we constantly wait for “the right time” to do this or that.

In her book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown says that to dare greatly we have to believe we are worthy. We must believe in ourselves. That begins with action—small steps to larger goals. Too often we might find ourselves kicking the can down the road. “I will do [you fill in the blank] when the holidays are over or the in-laws leave or the kids go to school or the house is paid off or Junior graduates from college or…..” The list goes on and on.

Voltaire said it best, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Realistically, there will probably never be a “perfect” time to do what you want. And you will never get it just “perfect.” Waiting on “perfect” does not get you closer to your dream. It can become a powerful excuse. But there is this time (now) to move closer to your dream. Repeat after me, “Now is my time.”

Here is your homework:

Imagine your dream. What is it that you want to do, achieve, or be? Be bold. Be true to yourself.
- Example: I see myself in a career where I make a difference in the lives of people around me. It is not a job—it is a calling.
Imagine you have reached your dream. How do you look, act, or feel?
- Example: I feel confident. I walk with an air of accomplishment. I smile. I have learned to listen more and talk less. I am a nutritious person for those around me.
Be the dream NOW. Start behaving like you have reached the dream.
- Example. Smile, listen, and nurture now—on your way to your dream. Why wait? Be the person you want to be on the way to being the person you want to be!

The time to act, look, speak, and feel like your dream is not when you get there. Do it along the journey to the destination. If you are authentic (living and pursuing a dream that resonates with your core) then the actions will ring true within your heart. Brené Brown says that when we live whole-heartedly we cultivate (pp. 9-10):

Authenticity
Self-compassion
A resilient spirit
Gratitude and joy
Intuition and a trusting faith
Creativity
Calm and stillness
Meaningful work
Laughter, song, and dance

Are you living your life or someone else’s life? If your happiness is contingent upon what others think or do, then you will forever be living a contingent life—contingent on whether someone else approves of your dreams.

The world needs you and your authentic and virtuous vision. Remember, others may think you are crazy—but you just may need that craziness to make your world (and ours!) a better place. YOU have a lot to offer.

In the words of the iconic Apple commercial: “Here’s to the crazy ones…because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do!”

{Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rwsuXHA7RA&list=PLHs9tcF6fT3TwMLjQsOvGPcUPo62n-lGe&index=2}

DO NOT let anyone tell you that you CANNOT be bold, daring, and authentic!

Choose well. Live well. Be well—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

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Make it a wonderful week—and a wonderful New Year!

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