A BOLD PRESENCE - On The Art Of Self-Confidence: Unleash Your Inner Power & Conquer the World

By Rasheeda Adams

A Bold Presence" is a powerful guide to developing strong self-confidence and creating an impactful and memorable presence. From personal relationships to professional settings, the ability to exude a strong and confident presence can be the key to achieving success and reaching our goals. This insightful book offers practical strategies, real-l

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penhouse Co.
• Release date: Nov 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9789988366902

Book preview

Introduction

Self-confidence is a journey without a destination. It is a work in progress, even for people who appear to be the most confident. Because we see what people show us and not what is in their insides. So, the person whose level of confidence we seek to imitate may be stewing in insecurities in a particular situation or when confronted with certain day-to-day realities. Oprah Winfrey once said that the greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude. We live and learn. And he who refuses to embrace change in self cannot be viewed as wise. Life has no magic pill that makes all our problems go away,  but if we make little improvements here and there, we have a greater chance of living better, happier lives. 

So, of all the things in the world, why do I want a bold, confident existence for you?

Have you ever been on a safari or watched one of those nature documentaries? There is one scene that often comes to mind. A herd of zebras grazing peacefully, their identical stripes forming a mesmerizing pattern that soothes the eye and tricks the predators. Each zebra blends into the herd, making it impossible for predators to single one out. It's protective camouflage, and it works wonders for the zebras.

Now, ask yourself. Are you a zebra? Is your life's mission to blend safely into the crowd? Or are you something more?

Think back on all the people who have ever made an impact in history - artists, scientists, inventors, leaders. None of them ever 'blended in'. Albert Einstein certainly didn't fit in with the conventional scientists of his time, yet that didn’t stop him from reshaping the world of physics. Frida Kahlo, with her unibrow and distinct style, refused to blend in with societal beauty norms but instead, she embraced her uniqueness, and today, we remember her not only for her art but for her courage. Steve Jobs, an eccentric and proponent of 'think different,' built an empire that revolutionised the technology industry.

If these individuals had tried to blend in, they wouldn't have achieved half of what they did. They were bold, they were different, and they were unafraid to show it.

So why should you try to blend in when you can stand out, leaving a lasting impression? When you can strive to push boundaries and redefine norms?

Blending in might indeed feel secure and cozy - it's akin to a ship docked at harbour, safeguarded yet aimless. Life isn't exclusively about seeking safety. It's an expedition of growth, challenging your boundaries, unearthing your real essence and the plethora of capabilities you possess. It's about cherishing your own 'stripes', your distinctness. To stand out, you need to possess an unwavering belief in who you are, in your prowess, and in the decisions you make, the elusive attribute we recognize as self-confidence.

Self-confidence is important: for your life, career, and interpersonal relationships. Confident people are better friends because they don’t spend their time second-guessing themselves and their value to their friends. They know they’re wanted because why wouldn’t they be? They know they’re appreciated because they see it. If they didn’t see it, they’d have the confidence to sever the connections and make better ones knowing they’re not the problem.

Confident employees do the best work. They don’t squirm when spoken to directly or fawn over their employers instead of working because they know they’re capable and their work speaks for itself. When they’re no longer appreciated in their work, they know when to pack up and move forward. Confident leaders and bosses have a great attitude that is positively reflected in the management of their work and workers or the people they’ve been tasked to lead.

Buddha says, You, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your affection. Self-confidence is the ability to feel good without influences outside of yourself. It is a sense of satisfaction one feels deep within oneself with one’s lot. 

A bold presence and confidence are deeply interconnected. Confidence is an internal belief in oneself, while a bold presence is the external manifestation of that belief. When you’re confident, you trust in your abilities, skills, and judgments. This self-assurance then radiates externally, creating a presence that others can see and feel. It’s in the way you carry yourself, the decisions you make, and the way you interact with others. Just like a brightly burning fire cannot be hidden, true inner confidence cannot be concealed and naturally expresses itself through a bold presence. Even without speaking, a person with a bold presence communicates self-assuredness, strength, and resilience that can command attention and respect from others. 

A bold presence is the outward reflection of inner confidence. It’s the tangible proof of an intangible belief in oneself, and it’s this combination of confidence and bold presence that can truly inspire and influence those around you.

In this book, we will journey alongside people exuding admirable confidence, their grit letting them shape the world to their advantage. Their triumphs and trials serve to illustrate the transformative power of confidence. The aim? To ignite your own sense of self-love, by striking the match that will spark inspiration in you and revolutionize your life.

A BOLD PRESENCE

How Cleopatra Came To Be One Of The Most Remarkable Women To Have Ever Lived

There are two characterisations of Cleopatra, the famous queen of Egypt. One is that she had a beauty to die for, with which she could enchant even the most powerful rulers. Julius Caesar and Mark Antony both fell in love with her and had famous relationships with her. The other characterisation, which is supported by history, is that she wasn't quite the traditional definition of beauty after all.

The confusion as to whether Cleopatra was considered beautiful or not arises from the contrasts between historical accounts, the potential bias in these accounts, the influence of modern media, and the subjective nature of beauty itself.

Notwithstanding, most historians agree that Cleopatra's greatest allure was her intellect, charisma, and political acumen. So lets say for the sake of argument that Cleopatra was regular-looking. So how did a regular-looking woman, albeit a queen, become known as a woman whose beauty could build and ruin nations?

Whatever Cleopatra looked like, her much-spoken-of beauty probably had its roots in something else: her bold, confident personality. The Greek-Roman philosopher and historian Plutarch said of her,

The charm of her presence was irresistible. There was an attraction in her person and her talk, together with a peculiar force of character which pervaded her every word and action and laid all who associated with her under its spell. It was a delight merely to hear the sound of her voice, with which, like an instrument of many strings, she could pass from one language to another.

Inheriting the throne of Egypt at just eighteen, Cleopatra faced numerous challenges as a young female ruler in a patriarchal society. Her reign was threatened when her brother Ptolemy and his advisors conspired to overthrow her. However, she showed immense courage and cunning by seeking the help of Julius Caesar, who was indifferent to who ruled Egypt as long as Rome's interests were protected. Even though it's unclear what exactly happened in their infamous meeting, Caesar became her ally and helped Cleopatra regain her throne and get rid of her brother. Together with Caesar, they had a child and jointly ruled as Ptolemy XIV.

After the death of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra found herself and Egypt in a vulnerable position. She needed a strong ally in Rome to secure her throne. Mark Antony, who along with Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus) formed the Second Triumvirate ruling Rome after Caesar's assassination, was an attractive ally due to his power and status.

Mark Antony also had control of Rome's east provinces, which made him a likely candidate to understand and value Egypt's importance. He had both the political and military power she needed for the protection of her kingdom and her Ptolemaic dynasty.

Knowing this, Cleopatra decided to approach him. Using her charm, intelligence, and political acumen, Cleopatra arranged a meeting with Antony in Tarsus, a city in modern-day Turkey.

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The Sensational Entrance

That Secured A Key Ally

Cleopatra's strategic and calculated approach to securing an ally in Mark Antony was exemplified in her grand entrance into the city of Tarsus. Her display of opulence, dressed as the Greek goddess Aphrodite and arriving on a barge made of gold, accompanied by attendants dressed as Eros, immediately caught Antony's attention.

Her understanding of Antony's love for Greek culture and ostentatious displays allowed her to put on a spectacle and secure his attention and loyalty. And of course, captivated by her charisma and the potential political benefits of an alliance with Egypt, Antony was drawn to Cleopatra. This began their notable historical relationship and strategic union. It provided Antony with the financial aid and resources that he needed for his military campaigns, while bolstering Cleopatra's position as queen and ensuring Egypt wasn't subsumed into the Roman Empire.

Historians often portray her as some lascivious siren due to Roman propaganda and misinterpreted cultural connotations. Instead, I believe Cleopatra's claim to fame was her intellect, which were reflected in her studies of astronomy, mathematics, languages, and strategic warfare.

She was known for her political acumen and her ability to navigate complex political situations. She ensured rights for Egyptian women and promoted education and trade during her rule, demonstrating her commitment to improving the lives of her people. She was also known for her ability to speak multiple languages, including Greek, Egyptian, and Latin, which allowed her to communicate with a wide range of people and expand her influence. Cleopatra was also known for her strategic thinking and ability to make alliances. For example, she formed an alliance with the Nabataean king Aretas IV, which helped her secure her eastern border against the Parthians.

By all accounts, Cleopatra was a woman with a bold presence, determined to secure her throne and better her kingdom. Her strategic and calculated actions, combined with her intelligence and confidence, allowed her to navigate the complex world of politics and secure powerful allies.

How Yaa Asantewaa Saved Her People’s Souls

In 1901, the Asante people faced a daunting challenge. Their king had been captured, leaving the queen mother with the sacred duty of defending her people's souls and spirit.

The governor, Frederick Hodgson, representing the colonial masters, was determined to find and capture the Golden Stool of the Asante people, believed to hold the souls of the entire nation. The governor's mission threatened to break the hearts and souls of the Asante people, with the army of protectors quivering in fear. But Nana Yaa Asantewaa knew better.

She called for a secret meeting with Asante leaders and the youth to incite an uprising against the colonisers. She instilled the belief that the Golden Stool belonged to the Asante people and was crucial to their survival. When the Asante men refused to fight out of fear, Nana Yaa Asantewaa rebuked them with these immortal words:

How can a proud and brave people like the Asante sit back and look on while white men take away their king and chiefs, and humiliate them with a demand for the Golden Stool? The Golden Stool only means money to the white men; they have searched and dug everywhere for it. I shall not pay one predwan (the currency of the time) to the governor. If you, the chiefs of Asante, are going to behave like cowards and not fight, you should exchange your loincloths for my undergarments (Montu mo danta mma me na monnye me tam).

Her speech, calling out the men for their cowardice, inspired 20,000 warriors, including the famous Dahomey Amazons.

Three days after Hodgson's announcement about looking for the Golden Stool, Yaa Asantewaa, with her 20,000-strong army and complementary troops, led the insurgent forces in pursuit of the British invaders. The unit sent out to find the Stool was defeated by Asantewaa and her army. But she knew this was only the beginning and that the British would send more troops until their opponents were exhausted. Not wanting to sit around and wait for the enemy, she made a bold plan to go on the offensive and attack the British directly at their base in Kumasi, using a new strategy of sniping at the defenders and cutting off the supply line to the fort. This ensured that any soldiers going to or leaving the fort were captured, held hostage, or executed. Goods and supplies were not getting into the fort. Her plan was to starve and smoke them out, and it worked. The governor and his men finally came out, and the two sides fought a bitter battle, which her side lost due to the arrival of British reinforcements.

Following the Battle of the Golden Stool, Yaa Asantewaa, along with other Asante chiefs, was captured and exiled to Seychelles by colonial authorities. However, despite their best efforts, the British miserably failed in their attempt to seize the Golden Stool, a revered symbol of the Asante spirit and sovereignty.

The British continued to govern the Asante kingdom as a protectorate, yet their rule was persistently undermined by the proud Asante people's fierce resistance. Without possessing the Golden Stool, the British found it difficult to control the Asante kingdom as they anticipated. The stool remained hidden, secured by the Asante who were vehement in their determination to protect their sacred symbol.

The Asante people

are a major ethnic group in Ghana, known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions. At the heart of Asante culture is the Golden Stool, or Sika Dwa Kofi, which symbolises the unity and sovereignty of the Asante people. According to legend, the stool descended from the heavens and was given to the first Asante king, Osei Tutu, by the god of the sky, Nyame. Passed down from generation to generation, the stool is considered the ultimate symbol of Asante power and authority.

The significance of the Golden Stool cannot be overstated. Its loss would be a devastating blow to the Asante people, worse than defeat in battle. It represents not only their history and traditions but also their identity as a proud and independent nation. The taking away of this sacred artefact would not only be a physical loss but also a spiritual and emotional one.

In this context, the actions of Nana Yaa Asantewaa are even more significant. She stood up against the British colonial forces and led the Asante people in a courageous fight for their rights and freedom. Her leadership and bravery inspired her fellow Asantes to rise up and defend their culture and traditions.Her tale is one of unmatched boldness, courage, and leadership—a testament to the power of an individual to inspire and lead in the face of adversity.

Nana Yaa Asantewaa's legacy continues to inspire people around the world to this day. She is remembered as a symbol of strength, courage, and leadership. Her story serves as a reminder that we should always stand up for what we believe in, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

What A Bold Presence Looks Like For Us Regular Folk

A bold personality requires a love of oneself, warts and all. It means taking responsibility for your actions and discharging your duties, never disappointing those who rely on you.

here is nothing bold about a deadbeat father who doesn’t remember his child’s birthday; nothing bold about a corrupt politician who steals from his people, no