The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

January 2Wear Your Truth

I may be deemed superstitious, and even egotistical, in regarding this event as a special interposition of divine Providence in my favor. But I should be false to the earliest sentiments of my soul, if I suppressed the opinion. I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and incur my own abhorrence. From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace.

Frederick Douglass—Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845)

So much about the quest for self-reliance is counterintuitive. The way toward the light often looks like the darkest choice. The true measure of our strength comes clothed in our ability to be weak.

But to speak and assume your truth in an effort to follow your passion as those around you seek to drag you into their fear and doubt also requires extraordinary wisdom.

You must first recognize how foolish following the path of others is so that you may embrace the posture of self-reliance.

Douglass stated he knew he would be freed from slavery long before it happened and that he welcomed the ridicule of others for speaking his truth in his version of “to thine own self be true.”

Today, be mindful of what you think, do, and say and consciously note how often your thoughts and actions betray your essential truth and how often you stand firmly clothed in your truth.

Challenge ...