Be Audacious!
Marta Pardo reframes audacity as a practical tool for bold decisions, creative courage, and personal transformation. 12 min.
A message for today on how to be audacious. Amanda Gorman reads inauguration poem, “The Hill We Climb.” 6 min.
How to Be Audacious
What does it mean to truly act boldly in the world? This portal explores how to be audacious through stories like Dr. King’s, insights from modern speakers, and a guide for everyday courage.
In 1959, Martin Luther King, Jr., visited the two-story building in Mumbai (then Bombay) that had served as Mahatma Gandhi’s home and headquarters during the struggle for Indian independence. This room had been preserved, and from behind a partition, visitors could see that it’s mostly empty but for a sleeping mat, spinning wheels, and a few objects. King went to the building as part of a trip to India to learn more about Gandhian principles. His visit to that room is described in CounterPunch by historian Vijay Prashad:
He was moved by the space where Gandhi sat, now cordoned off from the public. King wanted to go and sit in the room, among Gandhi’s remaining objects. The Museum’s curator was hesitant, but could not refuse a State guest. King meditated on the floor, where Gandhi once did. Hours went by. The curator asked King’s companions when they planned to leave, since he had to close the Bhavan. King asked if he could stay the night, by himself, and sleep where Gandhi had slept. The curator, once more, had to allow his guest this privilege. King did so, to the discomfort of his friends.
The next morning, King wrote in the guest book, “To have the opportunity of sleeping in the house where Gandhiji slept is an experience that I will never forget.”
King’s bold request took his experience of Gandhi’s room to a different level. This same boldness showed up in his dreams for the world and in how he fought for his vision. “I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.”
The need today for audacious action is stark, and our urgent challenges demand more than half-hearted actions. The meek have never changed the world. While few of us are as bold as Martin Luther King, Jr., we are all called to be more audacious.
How to Be Audacious — A Cosmorock Guide
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Seek out the people who intimidate you, inspire you, or challenge your worldview. Walk up to the keynote speaker. Message the expert. Ask the quiet person at the edge of the room about their story. Audacity starts with curiosity — and grows through brave connection.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Adapted from the original blog post “How to Be Audacious.” Reformatted for the Cosmorock platform with additional context and examples.
Audacious Philanthropy
Click anywhere to read full Article
What We Can Learn from 15 Bold Initiatives that Changed the World
Harvard Business Review analyzed 15 efforts that didn’t just do good—they shifted entire systems. What made them work? Strategic boldness, deep collaboration, shared goals, and a relentless long-game.
These efforts tackled big challenges in criminal justice (JustLeadershipUSA), education (The SEED Foundation), conservation (The Nature Conservancy’s Catch Shares), global health (Partners In Health), and beyond. Others reinvented food systems (Wholesome Wave), reimagined aging (Village to Village), advanced economic mobility (Crittenton Women’s Union), or scaled citizen-led development (Pratham, Tostan).
If you’re curious what real audacity looks like in action, this piece is packed with lessons—and examples of audacious actions that made a measurable difference.
Related Links