Face What Makes You Uncomfortable

In 1914, a shy young Indian named Mohandas returned to his homeland after spending years in South Africa fighting for civil rights. Though trained as a lawyer in England, he found himself drawn to an entirely different calling, leading a massive and nonviolent independence movement.

Mohandas initially resisted this purpose. In his autobiography, he confessed his natural shyness and reluctance to speak in public, writing: "My hesitancy in speech, which was once an annoyance, is now a pleasure... I have naturally formed the habit of restraining my thoughts." But the task before him demanded precisely these uncomfortable skills.

Despite his reluctance, Mohandas embraced this difficult path. He abandoned his Western clothes. He adopted a simple lifestyle. He began addressing massive crowds. The qualities he most feared became his greatest weapons. The silence he cherished transformed into a voice that would echo through generations.