Afraid of Ridicule and Rejection

I feel I must be more bold.
I find I play it safe
I am afraid to show too much of my true self.
Afraid of ridicule and rejection.

Do you ever feel this way?
How do you deal with it?

The fact is, when we live our lives with passion and without hesitation,
there will always be ridicule and rejection,
for the world at large has trouble understanding a person living from their authentic truth.
It’s just not built to support such a thing!

When we do live this way we will always be challenged,
but we do not have to take on every challenge
and we certainly don’t have to take challenges personally.

My self-esteem must become independently secure.
Based on loving myself and on nothing else.

Then I will feel free to walk through the world and face any challenge.
All attacks will only reach my surface.
My insides remain safe behind the armour of love.