I was watching an interview with Hugh Jackman yesterday on the airplane…and he said something that struck a chord with me. He said…and totally paraphrasing here…”Until you embrace the chance of completely utterly falling on your face, I mean…really looking bad…then you will never be able to truly live. Because you spend all your time trying to look good instead of really taking a chance.”
It’s not the first time I have heard this and I am sure that it won’t be the last. However, it has been a while since I have had those words spoken to me. A great deal of people spend their life avoiding looking bad or always trying to look good. I can honestly tell you that for the past 6 months, I have forgotten about the benefits of giving up those two concepts and opening myself up to living life versus directing its sexiness. Paralyzed because of what others will think. Stuck in the mud because of an inability to decide. Why? I was afraid of looking bad while doing it. It wasn’t the fear of doing the work – no, it was the fear of the work not paying off. Ahh…yes, there’s the answer.
Everyone who ever made it has to start off as the little guy. They must be the unknown. They must first look up at the gigantic mountain in front of them, and say, “Im getting to the top come hell or high water!” They must create themselves from nothing besides an idea. But if that idea and belief is strong enough in their mind it is tangible. No one else can see it or touch it…but the one who carries it always has it at the tip of their fingers. That idea is infectious and consumes their day. They aren’t merely interested in it…they are committed to it. To them…that’s life. Anything else is mediocrity.
Dream.
Evan Sanders
The Better Man Project
Reblogged this on Little Bliss Book and commented:
Create A Life That Feels Good on the Inside, Not Just One That Looks Good on the Outside
Thank you for this post! I’m re-blogging this:) With this new-age Hippie fad that’s going on especially among the younger generations(but not just limited to them) who are trying to make it look like they all have it together and are leading this ‘amazing life’ on the outside through pictures this was refreshing to read. I think it’s very easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and not realize that it’s ok to be vulnerable. Brene Brown gives a great lecture on TedTalks about The Power of Vulnerability (can be found on YouTube). I think you’d like it:)
You’ve got an award! http://shesadopted.com/2013/06/28/very-inspiring-blogger-award/ ~ A Very Inspiring Blogger Award 🙂
Reblogged this on jsngill and commented:
I knew Hugh Jackman was a smart fella
Just getting into blogging, but really enjoying your posts!!
Reblogged this on Shamz Unlimited and commented:
Man, this post answered a question I didn’t even know I was asking…
Reblogged this on AnnoyingBobby.
So good. The theme / dynamic / force of freedom is huge for me in your post. Being able to … truly … live … so you will DO something, and not just think about it / talk about it. Great post, keep writing.
I am finally embracing this concept.
If I went to work worried about always looking and sounding like the smartest teacher in the world, I would be curled up like a cocktail shrimp in the corner crying. I make mistakes, I try again, the students (8 of them) may make fun of me but I am still teaching them. I teach them that It’s ok to be human and teachers are human. Humans fall, and faithful rise to try again.
“Avoiding looking bad or always trying to look good” sometimes causes me to do unnecessary editing. Is it too harsh? Will there be backlash? Some of my readers know me personally and/or professionally? What will they think? Should I care? These are a few of the questions that, at times, come to mind when writing. I always write in good taste; never offensive material, so I shall keep this post in mind. Interestingly outside of writing, I rarely let the thoughts of others motivate my actions. Thanks, I enjoyed the read!
Without risk, there is no gain. Thank you for the inspiration.
I am in the middle of this “counting the cost ” process myself Evan thanks for the boost.
fantastic message and oh so true! 🙂
YES! I love it, and needed to read this. I find myself getting so caught up in planning ahead and avoiding that fall on my face that I’m paralyzed from taking action. Thank YOU and thank you, Hugh Jackman! 🙂
Reblogged this on Fe's Big Thoughts and commented:
Once I stopped spending energy on how people thought of me, my life started to change. My efforts were put in the right channels…towards what I wanted to accomplish.
Reblogged this on (A Day in the Life) Un Giorno Nella Vita and commented:
…what matters is how you think of yourself.
Follow your heart. Follow your dreams. ♥
Thanks for this inspiring post! I really needed this today! 🙂