So often words can take on meanings that vary from their true definitions. Sometimes words can morph over time and sometimes we develop charges with certain words based on how they are most commonly used. Along these lines, I had a revelation recently about the word BOLD and what it truly means.
We tend to think of bold people as being somewhat obnoxious or at least annoyingly pushy. We refer to bold face type by the nature of its loudness. We don’t tend to aspire to be bold or necessarily think of boldness as being an attribute of a likeable person. But do we really understand what it means to be BOLD?
According to Dictionary.com bold means, “not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring.” It also says, “beyond the limits of conventional thought or action; imaginative.”
This sounds pretty good to me and not at all like I’ve been using the word. So with this I offer a new definition of BOLD as an acronym for your consideration.
B.O.LD. — Brave Optimistic Loving & Daring
Bold Is Brave
It’s about seeing a vision so clearly you can almost taste it, and following it tenaciously through thick and thin. Bold is knowing what you know and not letting naysayers or the pressure of social norms discourage you. Bold is not just about moving in the face of fear, but about moving through the fear to the other side. It’s not saying “I’m doing this no matter what;” it’s saying “I’m doing this because.”
Bold Is Optimistic
It’s not necessarily about climbing a peak simply because it’s there, but more about climbing it because it calls to you to come and experience its grandeur. Bold is tasting the beauty of life and knowing you can have more of it.
Bold Is Loving
Bold is loving because when we firmly hold on to who we are and what we’re about, we come to love the uniqueness of others. By my authenticity I give permission for others to be more authentic.
Bold Is Daring
Marianne Williamson once wrote, “Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” Recognizing our greatness and living it is supremely daring.
