Leaving room for audacity

All my life, some audacity served me much better and many more times than cowardice, even though without some of the latter I might not be alive today! Still audacity has opened many doors to me and, on two occasions, broken seven of my own ribs, still I love it and when no one sees it, I’m not against going for more! 

Perhaps nothing is more paradoxical than audacity with its power to elevate and its potential to bruise. In fact, audacity isn’t recklessness, it’s simply the refusal to let fear dictate the terms of one’s life. It’s the relentless little voice that says, ‘Why not?’ when the world whispers, ‘Don’t!’”

This is what distinguishes audacity from mere bravado, and aligns with my innate, intentional approach to risk. Philosophically, cowardice may have kept me alive, but audacity is by far what has made me feel the most alive. 

The trick, I’ve learned, is knowing when to lean into each, just like a sailor reading the wind, adjusting the sails, but never dropping anchor out of fear. I would simply add this: “Sure, it cost me seven ribs—but I’d trade a few bones for the stories they gave me. After all, scars are just punctuation marks in a life well-experienced.” 

This is why, when all is said and done, I always leave room for some audacity, not as a reckless guest, but as a trusted companion. And when no one’s watching, I still let it take the wheel now and then!