Do you ever feel as if you are merely existing in this world, settling for less, stuck in a mundane routine because it’s comfortable, and then suddenly you see it crumble before your eyes?
Wouldn’t it be nice to find yourself on a journey that changes your life?
Danielle Steel’s “Legacy” is a great book for people like you and me. It talks about exploring outside our comfort zone, and spending a huge amount of energy to find ourselves and what we really want to do with our lives.
Brigitte was a relatable character since a lot of us are also a Brigitte.
I used to hate her the first time I read this book because she allowed herself to live a dull and boring life, and denied herself her own destiny. I was rolling my eyes, and sighing every now and then because of her lifestyle. I mean who wants to live like that?
Eventually, I understood her because I am like that as well. I see myself in her, which made me hate her because I also despised myself for not doing anything to make my life meaningful. Why is she settling for this kind of life, when she was given an opportunity to go beyond the boundaries of her comfort zone? I used to ask that question a lot of times when I was reading this book. Then one day, I found the answers. We are afraid of what will happen if we embrace our destiny – the things we have known to be good at but think otherwise – and so we try to settle at the center of our comfort zone, far away from the line that separates the great unknown and our safe space, where we know nothing could go wrong. We ultimately become contented with what we have.
We are afraid of the uncertainty the future has in store for us; and putting up a facade, or mustering up the courage to try new things, exhausts us to the point of giving up. It’s because fear hinders us to realize our best potential in life.
It also becomes interesting once you read the story of a valiant girl.
Wachiwi was so different from Brigitte, and she was the beauty of recklessness and bravery. Reading about a female character who destroys all stereotypes and discrimination against women always amazes me. I just love those cold and badass female characters because it makes them look independent and in no need of a man’s care.
We all desire to be Wachiwi, those kinds of people who dare to defy the odds in life just to achieve the life they want. The kind of person wherein they stand up after being beaten down several times; those who do not crumble easily when faced with adversities, and those who know who they are and fight for themselves.
Brigitte and Wachiwi were different but they both showed us how bravery can change and beautify our lives.
Danielle Steel did a good job comparing and contrasting these two women. The way the scenes shift from one female to another, paralleling their situation so that we can also see how different these two women lived and decided for themselves, and yet understand the reasons behind every decision they made.
Perhaps the lesson I found within these pages was that comfort won’t get you anywhere. It is good to feel comfortable with the things we do, but relying too much and residing too long in our safe space makes us stagnant and unproductive. Comfort, though the word sounds like heaven, hinders us to grab the many opportunities that pass by. It is when we let ourselves step out of the line of our comfort zone that we grow as an individual and find meaning in life.
The first step will always be frightening, but once you see the other side of the line, you will see how beautiful and worthwhile it is that you took the risk you’ve been hesitating to do so.
After all, life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
‘Til Next Time,
Zeen
Zeen 