But it is not the job of truth to make us feel good. It is the job of truth to be true, and it is our job to deal with it.
William DeresiewiczRead
Don't play it safe. Resist the seductions of the cowardly values our society has come to prize so highly: comfort, convenience, security, predictability, control. These, too, are nets. Above all, resist the fear of failure. Yes, you will make mistakes. But they will be your mistakes, not someone else's. And you will survive them, and you will know yourself better for having made them, and you will be a fuller and a stronger person.
Interpretation
Embrace risks and face failure, as doing so leads to personal growth and self-discovery.
William Deresiewicz's quote encourages individuals to move beyond societal norms that prioritize safety and control. By taking risks and confronting the fear of failure, one can experience personal growth and develop a deeper understanding of oneself. Making mistakes is a part of life, and rather than succumbing to the comfort of predictability, embracing challenges can lead to a more fulfilling and resilient existence.
In practice
In a motivational speech about entrepreneurship, one could use this quote to inspire resilience in the face of business challenges.
But it is not the job of truth to make us feel good. It is the job of truth to be true, and it is our job to deal with it.
One of the speakers asked how many women had been harassed or abused sexually in their life? There were thousands of women in the audience, and almost every one of them raised her hand.
The presence of evil was something to be first recognized, then dealt with, survived, outwitted, triumphed over.
I knew that I would have to be brave. Not foolhardy, not in love with risk and danger, not making ridiculous exhibitions of myself to prove that I wasn't terrified--really genuinely brave. Brave enough to be quiet when quiet was called for, brave enough to observe before flinging myself into something, brave enough to not abandon my true self when someone else wanted to seduce or force me in a direction I didn't want to go, brave enough to stand my ground quietly.
Challenges come so we can grow and be prepared for things we are not equipped to handle now. When we face our challenges with faith, prepared to learn, willing to make changes, and if necessary, to let go, we are demanding our power be turned on.
Bullies will attack your confidence, but you cannot let them kill your ambition.
Maybe there is something you're afraid to say, or someone you're afraid to love, or somewhere you're afraid to go. It's gonna hurt. It's gonna hurt because it matters.
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