Author's note: I am a
compulsive advice-giver-always have been. When my own son was in high
school, he wasn't interested in his old man's advice so I wrote it down in the
hope that he might change his mind one day. What follows is one piece of
that advice. I trust it applies to all of us, regardless of age.
Freedom lies in being bold.
—Robert
Frost
When my sister Nancy was about thirteen, our mother took her
on a trip to Washington, DC to see the monuments and visit the museums. One
museum housed a temporary exhibit of rocks that had been collected by
astronauts during a NASA moon mission. Nancy and Mom saved this exhibit for the
last day of their trip.
When they arrived at the exhibit hall, they were met with a
sign that read “Moon Rock Exhibit Temporarily Closed.” My sister was deeply disappointed;
this was to have been the highlight of the trip. But my mother was not to be
denied. She made it clear that she had come to see the moon rocks, and she was
going in, regardless of the sign.
“Mom!” Nancy protested. “Can’t you read? You’ll get in
trouble; you might get arrested!” It made no difference. Mom strolled past the
sign and into the deserted hall. A few minutes later, Nancy was horrified to
see her mother being escorted out by a burly security guard who politely but
firmly reminded the little lady that the exhibit was closed.
“See?” Nancy said. “I told you you’d get in trouble!”
“Well,” Mom replied with a quiet smile. “I saw the moon
rocks.”
Get the point? My mom was bold, and she was successful in her
quest. My sister held back, and she didn’t get to see the moon rocks.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I should have done
so-and-so?” Boldness will keep you from ever having to say that.
You can express boldness in every aspect of your life,
whether it be big or small. If you want to do something—as long as it’s legal
and worthwhile—do it. If you want a different job or a graduate degree, make up
your mind to go for it. If you’re in a karaoke club and want to sing, then
sing! If you care about someone, don’t be afraid to express how you feel.
Live the life that you want to live. Don’t be held back by
some notion that you aren’t good enough, or that you might fail or be
embarrassed. Don’t let fear keep you from doing what you want to do.
Be bold, my
friend, and you will never have to live with regret.