When did bold become a bad thing? “ That is a bold move.” Rather than praise or excitement, it is met with fear, apprehension, tension, anxiety. Is boldness only acceptable in set about standards and boundaries? A level of bumpers and cushions that say boldness is only this much? The English word bold, in my book means a thing that takes courage, risk, and action regardless of circumstance, boundary, or prescription.
We say that we are in a re-enlightenment by the acceptance of many groups into the fold, and granting them many of the same privileges and rights as others. And it is said that the battles these groups have fought is bold. Yet, the definitions of these groups and the rules that define them have become ever more narrow. The boldness of these groups, is now embraced to such a level that they no longer achieve that level of boldness. The fear, the risk, the apprehension, the impact of standing out no longer is there. They will always be different, yet simultaneously and vigorously protected. So what is bold, is no longer bold but rather becomes security and established.
One example is the boldness of harboring and smoking marijuana, or any other mind altering substances for that matter. When marijuana was criminalized those that partook were thought to be the rebels, with a secret knowledge that was not known to the greater society. They were risk takers, they were bold individuals. Yet, as the decriminalization occurs, these once unique characteristics no longer say or require boldness. A group once prosecuted no longer needs to stay in the shadows. And the aspects of their subculture is subsumed into the larger culture and is commodified. There is a mirage of the prior boldness and rebellious attitude that now has a very profitable and direct price tag.
The truth is boldness is the willingness to differ from what ever a society deems acceptable at the time for a given set of scenarios or social interactions. Bold may to do great harm or great benefit to others. Bold may be to disagree or agree when no one else will back you. Bold may to fight for what you think is right, even when the battle may be already lost. Bold to have hope and courage, when the light fades in others. Bold may be to chase your dreams, after failure after failure.
The rules, edicts, and laws of society do have value and change through time and place. Bold may not always take the right direction, have the moral high ground, or even succeed. Bold may be blasphemy, bold may require empathy.
Time and time again, you must strive for your convictions and desires no matter the cost and attempt to realize the world that you wish to see. Nothing in the history of the world was achieved without a level of boldness and personal risk. Life is long and life is short.
When is comes to friendship, love, relationships, business, empire, trade, faith, ect it is all a risk. It’s always a gamble. And to each one, there’s always a gamble that we think is worth it. We will risk life and limb to achieve the impossible.
Physics and biology set limits on this reality, but boldness bares that find those limits and strive to push past those liminal lines.
Do not be bold in one sense and mild in another because the society at the time expects such things. Listen, and listen well to your heart. And let that lead you to wade in unexpected waters.
The greatest boldness there is to be yourself , without regard of the regime or the religion of the time. That is to be unabashed and unashamed of your vulnerable and lovely heart.
Fear and lonesomeness may bother you and attempt to break your boldness. But, you already knew that it came with new territory. They are indicators to sharpen your senses and bolster your resolve.
Success is never certain, yet failure will arrive in certain surety. Thus, we fight the good fight. And that spark of boldness eventually breaks onto the shores of the masses, lighting each mind asunder.
What may have been a dream in the past, may exist as the status quo in the present. What may be been revolutionary at one point may have become rigid and stale in the current tense.
We lose our way, we become estranged from our own hearts. When we become estranged from each other, and the rest of the natural world.
We may be bold to begin with, but balance is where we must centered. When there is a complete sense of self, a deeper reflection of one’s owns thoughts, and a complex and receptive understanding of the world your being begins to emanate boldness without a second thought. Anchored in the depts of your deep and far reaching roots, you have the strength to step forward and bring others along.
No jail, no accusation, no slight, no obstacle, no insult, no punishment, no attack, no prescribed boundary holds you down.
You are bold.