One Strong Belief
It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance
Security is a kind of death, and perhaps the worst kind there is.
I do not mean physical security. As someone living in Washington DC, a city with a high crime rate and a pathetic and corrupt police force, I understand the necessity of physical security. What I mean is the type of security that stands in the way of personal development. The security that says “go ahead and watch another episode of your favorite TV show, there’s nothing risky about that.” The kind that says “you’re tired, forget that event you RSVP’d for. You never meet anyone interesting at those events anyway.” Nothing bad can come of these thoughts and actions, and in that way they are secure. But nothing good can come of them either.
Every day I face a trade-off between the secure path and the risky path. I do not always make the right choice. However, I strongly believe that happiness in life will come not from security, but from the growth that comes from shunning security often, and letting the wind blow me wherever it may.
#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey.
