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I once asked a guy I had a huge crush on to a Sadie Hawkins type dance in high school by reading a carefully written speech that I had prepared over the phone. The speech had different versions written in advance (in case he said yes or no), because I like to be prepared when taking a risk. Yet in my own way, I went for it despite my intense fears. In fact, I remember my heart was beating so loudly I could barely hear his responses. Even more difficult to listen because I had to pay attention to where I was in the script.

Discovering My Secret Power

So, he ended up saying yes, and the dance went horribly, and we barely spoke; yet I consider it a victory because I asked. It really doesn’t matter that I was reading from a cue card, it actually makes it all the sweeter. I have been looking back as of late and realizing despite all of my shyness, there has always been a quiet boldness about me. A little voice that sits in the background and eggs me on to be a lot more daring than is comfortable.

Be Bold

It is perhaps the quiet boldness that encourages a deep (and admittedly somewhat odd) fascination with being a mascot. To be disguised in full costume, and allowed, even encouraged to do whatever the hell you want is an intoxicating idea. I am enamored with the endless possibilities that await me within one of these sweaty costumes. I intend to live out this fantasy via a rented costume one fine Halloween in the not too distant future.

How to be Daring Without a Costume

The voice that lies within me is not an anomaly. I imagine your voice sounds different than mine, and may not go by the name quiet boldness, but is calling you forward all the same. I hope you are listening and answering its call, and if you have not yet begun, I recommend starting. The best moments in life occur when you are doing exactly what you want despite the possible consequences. When you quit caring about fear and failure for just long enough to allow yourself to really live.

Now, that means different things to everyone to say the least. As for me, I have abbreviated and emboldened my routine when I talk to attractive men. I no longer write speeches; instead I brazenly choose to hold a quick stage rehearsal in my head before proceeding. Sometimes it involves a dance routine, other times it does not. And while my boldness may be like standing in a dark closet to those who are more outgoing by nature, to me it is like jumping out of a plane.