Bold Ponderings

I’m wearing an orange polo shirt. The color is similar to the shade of orange that attracts the attention of police. Orange, specifically burnt orange brings me great joy. I used to own a 1974 Honda Civic painted the shade of orange I like. It would be great to own another one.

Why do I love the color orange? Perhaps because it is a visual jolt. It’s not a color for milquetoasts. If you’re an undercover government agent, bold color clothing and cars are not wise choices.

Bold is assertive. Today’s reinterpretations of 1970s muscle cars look best in bright, bold colors. Clothing fashions for 2020 have been all about vibrant blues and reds. Boldness is popular as hair coloring for young women and men. People adorn ourselves in colors that reflect our inner personalities.

The practice of Southeast Asian Buddhist monks wearing orange robes is another matter. A Thai monk who is a relative on my step-mother’s side–a step-cousin–says the reason why their robes are yellow or orange, is because in ancient times monastic robes were dyed with plant-based colors, the most common ones being saffron and turmeric. Many schools of the religious philosophy carry on the practice because of tradition. Monks in other regions wear robes of muted colors like brown, dark tan, and maroon. The shades of colors vary subtly according to region, school, and ordination levels. The step-cousin says vibrant orange symbolizes spiritual power and purity.

“People who make no mistakes lack boldness and the spirit of adventure. They are the brakes on the wheels of progress.”–singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Dale Turner

There is something about living one’s life in a bold manner carefully balanced with moderation. It’s not wise to be arrogant, brash, and rude. Nor is it wise to be shy, retiring, and a people pleaser. Boldness and modesty in mindfully measured amounts go a long ways towards being connected outwardly and inwardly. Even the most bold enterprises require mundane, everyday work behind the scenes–the balance between yang and yin.

The danger of too much boldness in enterprise and the power structure is that a person can become desensitized to the plight of people who are left behind. There needs to be more empathy towards people who cannot call the shots. Just because a person is bold, does not mean they know the best way to change the world. The wise player balances boldness with receptivity to other points of view. Without balance, boldness becomes overbearing and tyrannical.

Today is the day to wear your true colors whether they be muted greys and browns or bold yellows, reds, or orange. Pay attention to how the colors allow you to feel.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness quotes the CEO of WW International (formerly Weight Watchers), Mindy Grossman. “I never bet against anyone. If people do something that has a true purpose, and they do it with boldness, I root for them.”