Be a Leader, Not a Dreary

In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the poet Virgil guides Dante to the gates of Hell.

There they encounter the “Drearies,” a group of lost souls who, as Dante writes, “lived without blame or praise.”

Author Thomas Cahill calls them:

“Whining wraiths who never truly lived at all, the lukewarm, who are ‘as hateful to God as to his enemies,’ the people no one claims.”

Never take a risk — like a Dreary — never stand out from the crowd and you’ll probably escape criticism. You’ll also escape greatness.

No, you won’t be challenged, nor will you have to defend yourself. But you will be forgotten and ignored.

You’ll never have to overcome your fears. Nor will you see beyond the ridge of your fears to the vista of achievement.

You will probably make few mistakes — but you’ll make a difference in even fewer lives.

You’ll never have to push through pain — and you’ll never experience deep joy.

Your fears scream at you to wallow in mediocrity. But your soul whispers to arise and take your place on the stand of leadership. Let your light shine, your soul urges, and become what you were born for.

Follow your fears, and you’ll forever be haunted by the tragic question, “What if?”

Heed your soul, and you’ll be left with no regrets.

Drearies are a dime a dozen. Leaders are worth their weight in gold.

Which will you choose?