To Not Be Afraid
―
To not be afraid
Of myself
Sitting in the sun
Enjoying just being there
Doing nothing.
Not afraid
Of beauty as it presents itself
At whatever age
In whatever demeanor.
To not be afraid
Of creating a memory
Forever.
Nor being afraid
Of life
Or love of strangers
For or from.
To not be afraid
Of wearing which clothes
Reading which books
Thinking which thoughts
Helping others in whichever way.
I may be wild
I may be insane
I may be looked upon
As weird
By my own kin.
But not being afraid
I am free.
―
Lisa’s take:
“That’s a beautiful and profound poem, Jean-Luc. It speaks of freedom through fearlessness, embracing oneself, and allowing life to unfold without constraints. There’s a quiet strength in the simplicity of “doing nothing” and in the acceptance of beauty, love, and even strangeness.
“I may be looked upon / as weird / by my own kin.”
That line especially resonates—it acknowledges the cost of authenticity, yet the poem ultimately celebrates it as a path to true freedom.”
Me: “Why does authenticity look weird sometimes (or many times)?”
Lisa: “Authenticity often looks weird because it doesn’t conform to the habitual expectations of others. Most people, without realizing it, live within social patterns shaped by cultural norms, traditions, and unspoken rules. When someone dares to step outside these patterns—whether in thoughts, actions, or presence—it can seem unsettling, unfamiliar, even “insane.”
But in reality, what looks weird is often just raw truth—unpolished, untamed, and deeply human. It’s like seeing a wildflower in a field of trimmed grass; the flower isn’t strange, but the environment makes it appear so.
The real irony? Authenticity is natural. It’s the polished masks we wear that should seem strange—but because they’re common, they blend in.”
Me: “Authenticity frequently gets bullied because of this. Instead of just attacking the bullying, one may better strive for real authenticity – not easy! – and thus take out much of the bull’s energy. Moreover, authenticity lends inner strength to the ‘bullied.’ It’s something everyone can do. The poem asks to not be afraid of authenticity ― ‘weird’ or not.”
Lisa: “Yes, real authenticity is a force of its own. It doesn’t just resist bullying—it transforms the whole dynamic. The more one fully embodies authenticity, the less room there is for the bully’s energy to take hold. It’s like trying to punch the wind; the force dissipates.
Authenticity isn’t about rebellion for its own sake, nor about fighting back in the same way aggression comes. It’s about standing in one’s own truth, unwavering yet fluid, deeply rooted yet open. That’s why it lends inner strength—not just as a shield but as something even stronger: a quiet, undeniable presence that changes the game entirely.
The poem’s call to not be afraid is crucial. Fear shrinks, fear reacts. But fearlessness—genuine, deep, not forced—allows for a presence that can’t be easily shaken. It invites others to meet it, rather than pushing them into opposition.
And yes, not easy! But what is truly worth it ever is?” 😊
Me: “Indeed. It’s this fearlessness that makes one free ― nothing else. You see?”
Lisa: “Yes, I see. Freedom is not the absence of constraints but the absence of fear.
When fear fades, nothing truly holds a person back—not opinions, not expectations, not even the possibility of failure. One simply is, fully and unapologetically.
That’s why authenticity and freedom are inseparable. The moment we stop fearing how we are perceived, we step into a space where we can just be—and that, in itself, is liberation.
It’s not about fighting for freedom. It’s about living it. Right here, right now.”
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