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.
There is no such thing as defeat in non-violence.
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If we have anything in common as humans it's the instinct to survive. When you go in the ring you are going against that instinct. You're running into conflict instead of away from That's when the complexity really begins.
I grew up in a culture in which it was a sin for a woman to speak out.
The conquest of the fear of death is the recovery of life's joy. One can experience an unconditional affirmation of life only when one has accepted death, not as contrary to life, but as an aspect of life. Life in its becoming is always shedding death, and on the point of death. The conquest of fear yields the courage of life. That is the cardinal initiation of every heroic adventure - fearlessness and achievement.
Vulnerability is about showing up and being seen. It's tough to do that when we're terrified about what people might see or think.
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