"When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid"

Audre Lorde’s words capture a profound truth about the relationship between fear, power, and purpose. She highlights the transformative potential that arises when individuals channel their inner strengths toward a meaningful vision. Instead of being paralyzed or defined by fear, she proposes that a greater sense of purpose and power emerges from committing oneself to a cause or personal ambition.

Fear often thrives in uncertainty, in moments when we hesitate to act or remain unclear about our goals. Lorde brings attention to the act of daring, not just experiencing power passively, but actively claiming and utilizing it. Power here is not merely control over others, but the courageous embrace of one’s authentic abilities and the willingness to act onsuch convictions. By aligning personal strength with vision, she suggests that fear loses its grip, diminishing in significance with each step taken in pursuit of a dream or a deeply held value.

The use of “dare” implies risk and vulnerability, acknowledging that stepping into one’s power is neither safe nor guaranteed to be comfortable. Yet the act itself is liberating. As individuals recognize the value of their vision and the unique strengths they bring, the anxieties and doubts that once seemed overwhelming begin to recede. Empowerment does not erase the existence of fear; rather, it shifts the focus away from it. As Lorde asserts, when one’s attention is placed firmly on meaningful action, fear becomes less an obstacle and more a background noise.

Ultimately, Lorde’s words invite people to find courage not by waiting for fear to vanish, but by moving forward in spite of it. Devoting one’s strength to service of a vision leads to a life where fear occupies less space, replaced by purpose, agency, and the undeniable efficacy of action.