Recently, I encountered a thought-provoking quote by Tad Hargrave: *”In order to share your gifts with others, you must risk being seen. And it is a risk. But, perhaps our refusing to share and thus be seen by others puts the world at an even greater risk.”* I don’t know much about Hargrave or his background, but his words struck a chord with me, and I felt compelled to explore why.
https://www.instagram.com/stories/nathanmaingard/3450569298327237585?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=MnJ2NDc4bG56cWZ
I’ve often struggled with the idea of putting myself out there. It’s a challenge to be vulnerable and let others see parts of me that feel deeply personal. The fear of judgment or misunderstanding can be paralyzing, and there have been countless times I’ve held back from sharing my thoughts or talents.
Hargrave’s message brings an important perspective: when we choose not to share our gifts, we’re not just protecting ourselves from potential discomfort. There’s a broader implication—we might be denying others something valuable. What if the ideas, creativity, or insight I’m holding back could actually make a difference for someone else? It’s a sobering thought that my reluctance could potentially impact not just my own life but others’ as well.
I find his words encouraging because they suggest that the risk of being seen is not just a personal hurdle but a necessary step toward contributing something meaningful. The fear of exposure is real, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and connection. It’s about taking a leap and trusting that, even though the outcome is uncertain, there’s value in the act itself.
The final part of Hargrave’s reflection, where he wishes for us to have “the support and safety you need to take the risk to wonder about this,” feels like a gentle nudge to embrace this journey with a bit more courage. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to navigate this alone. Support can come from friends, mentors, or even within ourselves as we learn to trust in our own gifts and their potential impact.
For me, this message has been a comforting reminder that stepping into the light, despite the risk, is a valuable pursuit. It’s not about being perfect or having everything figured out. It’s about taking that small step to share something that matters to us, trusting that it might resonate with others in ways we can’t always predict.
So, as I reflect on Hargrave’s words, I’m reminded of the importance of embracing vulnerability and sharing our unique gifts. In doing so, we might not only enrich our own lives but also offer something meaningful to the world.
(by the way… My relation with Nate Maingard – who shared the quote that inspired this post, is a complicated one. Often, I like the way he sees the world, but more often his quest to absolutely be less mainstream and more alternative and thus searching for a more wholesome life is too out there for me. He rambles on about being online too much and not being in the now, forgetting that his entire public personal is built on the fact that he is online and shares his process. It’s what allows him to explore this life in the way he does. The hypocrisy is just something that does not sit well with me most of the time. And yet… There are all these thoughts that are also kind of inspiring. And there used to be music that touched the right spaces of my soul)
reflections of an unquiet mind 