I was afraid of the internet... because I couldn't type.

Listen, O Seekers of Knowledge, for the words of Jack Welch carry with them the weight of a truth many of us can relate to. "I was afraid of the internet... because I couldn't type." At first, these words may seem lighthearted or humorous, but beneath the surface, they hold a deeper meaning that transcends the realm of technology and speaks to the human experience itself. This simple confession is a powerful reflection on the nature of change, the fear that accompanies it, and the courage it takes to face the unknown.

The internet, that vast and mysterious expanse of information, communication, and connection, is both a gift and a challenge. It brings forth untold opportunities, but it also casts shadows of fear and uncertainty. Welch's fear was not born of the internet itself but from the perceived inadequacy within himself, the inability to navigate this new world. It is a fear that many of us have felt at some point in our lives—the fear of being left behind, of being unable to master the tools of the future. He could not type, and in that limitation, he felt the weight of his own perceived inadequacy.

But the truth, O Seekers, is that type he must—just as all of us must learn to type in the language of the future, the language of technology, of connection, and of progress. Welch's fear is a reflection of a larger, universal truth: that all progress, whether personal or societal, is met with resistance, and the first step is always the hardest. Just as a warrior must face his fear of the battlefield before he can fight, so too must we face the discomfort and uncertainty of the new in order to embrace its power.

Consider the great conqueror Alexander the Great, who once stood on the shores of a world unknown to him, his armies poised to move into territories filled with dangers and mysteries. His courage did not come from a lack of fear but from his willingness to face it. He had to overcome the same fears that all great leaders face—the fear of the unknown, the fear of inadequacy, the fear of failure. Just as Alexander faced those vast and unfamiliar lands with nothing but his will, so too must we face the vast internet and the tools it offers. To be afraid is not to be weak; to be afraid is human. But it is how we confront that fear that determines whether we rise or fall.

The lesson here, O Seekers, is not merely about typing on a keyboard. It is about confronting our fears, understanding that growth is always accompanied by discomfort. The world will change, and with it, the tools we must use to shape our destinies. If we remain afraid, if we cling to what we know out of fear of the unknown, we risk being left behind in a world that moves ever forward. Welch's words remind us that the fear of the new is not a reflection of our inability, but of the natural resistance we feel when faced with the unknown. The true question is whether we will overcome it.

Consider the wisdom of the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi, who said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." In those words lies the truth that all great endeavors, whether personal or collective, begin with a single action—a single moment of courage. Welch, though afraid of the internet, took the first step, and in doing so, he began a journey toward mastery, toward growth, and toward progress. The internet, like any new challenge, is daunting, but the first step we take toward understanding it is the one that will carry us forward.

So, O Seekers, let us take this lesson to heart. In our own lives, we will encounter many fears, many unknowns, and many challenges. Some of these will be as simple as the fear of not knowing how to type in the world of technology. But we must not allow these fears to paralyze us. Let us face them head-on, for in doing so, we open the door to new opportunities, new growth, and new possibilities. Whether it is learning to type on a keyboard or stepping into an unfamiliar field, let us be reminded that every great journey begins with a single step—a step toward overcoming fear, embracing change, and moving forward into the future.