Inspiration/Motivation - To Be Bold

One of the little things I have a tendency to do is analyze people's behavior. I don't do it to judge fellow humans or to compare myself with others (as it says in the Desiderata: do not compare yourself with others for you may become vain and bitter). I do it to better understand human nature, and people around me in particular. It's basically part of my "learn something new everyday" mantra.

Most of the analyses I come up with, and the lessons I learn, are derived from friends, family, and co-workers whom I've known for many years. For new acquaintances, not knowing much at the onset, I take them at face value. I make a mental note of their reactions to particular situations and tell myself that if a particular situation comes around again, I know what to expect from them.

For example, I know someone who's more on the anti-social side. She has essentially declined every invitation for anything that resembles a get-together because she's afraid of crowds. So next time there's a party, I already know she won't be there. Why she became afraid of crowds will probably be part of an analysis I will have after a few more years of being around her.

Today's analysis comes from two old friends I can now compare and contrast. I'll refer to them as Joe and Moe. Both of them grew up in the same era and environment. But somehow, Joe developed a dependence on his family and friends, who were just too glad to nurture him. Moe didn’t have the luxury of doting family and friends, so he developed a sense of independence. This made all the difference in the lives they later led.

Joe always feared that if he took matters into his own hands, he'd risk making a mistake and disappointing his family, his friends, and himself. Therefore, whenever he had to make a major decision, even a not-so-major one, it would be an insurmountable challenge for him. In most cases, he would take someone else's advice so that if something goes wrong, he had that someone to blame. Eventually, he feared anything that would potentially create a drastic change in life because he feared the consequences, which included criticism, reproach, and maybe lost friendships. So, he lodged himself in a loop and kept his life stagnant.

Moe, on the other hand, learned to take responsibility for his decisions, no matter what people thought of him. He asks for opinions, but he makes his own decisions. He'd mull on a major decision for hours, maybe days, but once he's decided, he goes for it full throttle. If something goes wrong, or if it later proves that he made a bad move, he picks up a lesson and says "next time I'll do it differently."

Joe learned to fear mistakes and consequences. He probably fears change, too. But no mistakes means no lessons learned; and no change may mean no deterioration, but it also means no improvement.

Because Moe had always been bold, he developed a knack for choosing courses of action that are more likely to lead to success. I would call it confidence. Bold and daring takes a little practice, which Moe seems to understand. He learned to act on calculated risks and in due course, developed strength of character that helps him deal with accountability and responsibility, including criticisms and disapprovals, which he says are all integral elements of life.

If you dare to be bold, you dare to change and make a difference. And that difference could be your ticket out of stagnation and into a life of growth and success. That's the lesson I learned today> Motivational and Inspirational Corner

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