Judy and Hilary Swank on courage
Exploring who we are, putting ourselves into places and situations that develop our talents and abilities, standing up to internal and external pressures that get in the way - all that takes courage, and dealing with fear in positive ways.
After being fired from her office job of nine years, Judy Swank initially felt despair at being able to continue supporting her daughter Hilary in her dream to be an actor, but decided to move to California, as she describes in her HuffingtonPost entry Journey Down the Road:
“Our grand adventure to Hollywood was the first time that I did the unexpected,” Judy Swank writes. “The first time I really took a risk. I had no money and could certainly be thought of as either extremely naïve or just plain crazy. But whatever was ahead of us, I knew we would figure it out.
“I did not come to this conclusion on my own. I gained this knowledge by watching my daughter. The most revealing thing I discovered was how much courage Hilary has. Some times when the door of opportunity opens, we spend too much time deliberating on whether to go through the door or not, all the while the door is slowly closing.
“Hilary’s youth and complete exuberance for what she’d chosen in life allowed her to be unafraid to take the risks involved in pursuing her dream… She followed her instincts. I had learned to believe in them. I completely believed in her.”
Hilary Swank said about her powerful role in “Boys Don’t Cry”: “I wanted to play the joy of living your life the way you want to. It’s a beautiful love story. And I think people are reacting to the fact that this was a person who had the courage to live life the way he wanted to. I think everyone wishes they could do that.” [Interview mag., April, 2000; photo from "Million Dollar Baby."]
She has also commented on trying to achieve your goals: “As in life, your mind can be the hugest obstacle or tool, depending on how you choose to use it. And I find that a lot of people who are successful in life say, ‘I can do this, and I will do this.’ Their minds don’t get in their way; whereas people who wake up and say, ‘Oh, I can’t,’ their mind is in their way, and it’s going to stop them from doing what they need to do to achieve their dream.” [imdb.com]
Arianna Huffington points out, “Fear is universal; we all have fear.” But, she adds in her book On Becoming Fearless, that some fears “do tend to be more prevalent among women than men, including fear of staying single; fear of imperfection; fear of failure; of ugliness; of loneliness; of growing old; public speaking; ridicule; being alone; getting wrinkles.” [From a Women and Talent post.]
Related post: Watch out for that comfort zone
Related Talent Development Resources pages:
Fear
Courage / confidence
Courage / confidence articles books
~~
