“The impossible—we are told—cannot be achieved. To overcome the ‘impossible,’ we need to use our wits and be fearless.” – Phillippe Petit
What comes to mind when you think of the term “fearless”? Do you think about a particular person? A comic book superhero? A role model? A historical figure? Many ideas come to mind when I think about the word fearless, but one, in particular, pops into my brain—those who are not afraid to venture outside of their comfort zones to solve a problem.
I have spoken about voyaging the unbeaten path before and how it can be easier to conquer new ground with those who support you—family, friends, colleagues. But when it comes to those who choose to take an unfamiliar path—whether alone or not—the amount of bravery it takes is incredibly fearless.
Albeit fearlessness is a challenging feat to conquer, numerous positives can come out of it. When a path is forged outside of our comfort zones, some of the world’s most significant discoveries are made. Apple, for example, came out of one man’s—Steve Jobs—vigor to change the world through technology. While Apple today reigns as a legacy brand for the masses, Steve’s journey was anything but smooth. He faced countless opposition and adversity but kept trudging forward nonetheless—a premiere example of fearlessness and personal sacrifice.
Another notable element of being fearless comes in the form of righteousness. The saying, “just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s right,” is a turn of phrase I equate to being fearless. It takes a brave heart to choose right, but not popular. Think of how many influential leaders started their journeys in a courageous state, going against the grain to stand up for what they believed in—hoping to create a better and more just world. I often think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an impeccably fearless leader, dedicating his life to civil rights so that all individuals are seen as equal regardless of the color of their skin. I also think of Gloria Steinem as a valiant leader, tirelessly using her platform to propel women’s rights forward during the American feminist movement in the 1960s. Another fearless leader was Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. He gave his life while sponsoring a bill banning sexual orientation discrimination in public accommodations, housing, and employment.
The common theme in all these instances is fearlessness. How? Because it truly takes a fearless individual to accomplish such milestones in the face of oppression and opposition.
The same can be said here for us at Brightmark. While tackling the climate crisis is frightening, I believe the team is undeniably fearless. They see no challenge as too big, vast, or hopeless to conquer. Instead, they simply say, “ what can I do to help?”
There are always ways to make an impact for you fearless bunch that want to make a difference in this world.
- Spread kindness, not hate
- Treat life, both humans and animals, with respect and graciousness
- Take care of the planet and leave it better than you found it
- Remember that fearlessness comes in many forms, do what is most fearless to you
If we live our lives with a fearless state of mind, anything is impossible. So, I encourage you to be fearless, my friends; there is not a day to waste.
Fearlessly,
Bob Powell
