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Moving forward—Without Looking Back
Fear can often get the best of even the very brave. Here’s a story adapted from Tales for Change by Margaret Parkin, from whence comes the expression “burning the boats.” It’s a powerful story of facing change—and learning the lesson that sometimes it’s best to push forward without looking back:
Cortez, the explorer, was born in Spain in 1485. At the age of 14, he made his way out into the world to study law—but his true ambition was to become a conqueror and explorer.
Cortez had many adventures in his twenties and thirties, and eventually he joined forces with another explorer, Diego Velasquez. Together the explorers hoped to achieve their goal of conquering the Aztec city of Tenochitlan.
Cortez set off with about 500 soldiers in the year 1519 and landed at a spot known as Veracruz. Soon the explorer realized there was talk amongst his men of turning back to Cuba—rather than facing the potentially hazardous journey ahead. The soldiers, in order to conquer Tenochitlan, would have to navigate 200 miles of jungle and swampland before attacking the city, which was surrounded by water.
Cortez knew that he was facing a possible mutiny, and so took the bold action of having all of his own party’s boats burnt.
Cortez forced the men to choose to fight or die by taking away all hope of retreat.
Cortez’s party went on to fight the Aztecs and conquer the fortress city.
Recommended Reading:
, by Susan Jeffers, by Margaret ParkinRead More Stories about facing change and dealing with fear by checking out our self-growth section
bravery, facing change, facing fear, moving forward
