“I’m realistic” often means “I’m afraid.”
Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm realistic"? It's a phrase that often slips off the tongue without a second thought. But what does it really mean? Well, let me break it down for you. When someone says, "I'm realistic," what they might actually be saying is, "I'm afraid." Yes, you heard it right. Fear disguises itself as realism more often than we realize. Let's delve into this intriguing notion.
Imagine you're standing at the edge of a diving board, contemplating whether to take the plunge into the deep, refreshing waters below. You've always wanted to dive, to experience the exhilaration of free-falling through the air before gracefully meeting the water's surface. But as you stand there, staring into the abyss, doubt creeps in. Your mind starts conjuring all sorts of scenarios – what if you belly flop? What if you hit the water at the wrong angle? Suddenly, you find yourself saying, "I'm realistic. Diving is dangerous. I should just stick to the shallow end." But in reality, what you're really saying is, "I'm afraid of the unknown. I'm afraid of failing."
Fear has a cunning way of masquerading as reason. It whispers in our ears, convincing us that playing it safe is the only logical choice. It tells us that taking risks is foolish, that we should stick to what we know and avoid venturing into uncharted territory. But here's the thing – life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Every great achievement, every remarkable discovery, was born out of someone's willingness to take a leap of faith, to defy the so-called "realistic" expectations imposed by society or even themselves.
Think about the Wright brothers. If they had succumbed to the fear of failure, if they had listened to those who said, "Flying is impossible," we wouldn't have airplanes crisscrossing the skies today. Or consider Thomas Edison. Imagine if he had been deterred by the countless failures he encountered on his journey to inventing the lightbulb. Instead of seeing each setback as a sign to give up, he viewed them as stepping stones toward success.
Life is a series of choices, and oftentimes, the choice between "realism" and fear is the most pivotal of all. It's the choice between playing it safe and seizing the moment, between settling for mediocrity and striving for greatness. So, the next time you catch yourself saying, "I'm realistic," pause for a moment and ask yourself, "Am I truly being realistic, or am I allowing fear to dictate my decisions?"
In essence, the quote reminds us that what we perceive as realism can often be a mask for our deepest fears. It challenges us to interrogate our motives and confront the fears that hold us back from realizing our full potential. It beckons us to embrace uncertainty, to lean into discomfort, and to trust in our ability to navigate the unknown.
So, dear reader, I leave you with this question: Are you letting fear disguise itself as realism in your life? And if so, what steps can you take to shed this disguise and pursue your dreams with courage and conviction?
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
